Photography: Trevor Mein
Before architect John Wardle bought Captain Kelly’s Cottage, on Tasmania’s windswept Bruny Island, the historic home had undergone a series of haphazard renovations, leaving it lacking authenticity and genuine character. “The original cottage was deteriorating due to its age and the harsh environment,” says John. “Over 175 years there had been several unsympathetic alterations. Our work involved the removal of these non-original works, to respectfully return the cottage to its original form.”
Purchasing the cottage and associated sheep farm, called Waterview, more than 20 years ago, John took a decade to properly observe and acclimatise to the home’s idiosyncrasies before beginning the restoration in 2015. “Between the time that we bought the property and commencing the works, I was researching and designing how the cottage might take shape – through reading, travelling and visiting other historic homes,” says John. “The luxury of having lived in the cottage for 10 years prior to beginning the refurbishment paid dividends.”
The cottage’s original floor plan consisted of two small structures – one containing four bedrooms, and the other a kitchen surrounded by a wide verandah. The first phase of reconstruction involved peeling back layers of neglect and decay, and meticulously removing all non-original additions.
This painstaking process revealed a glorious patchwork of heritage features and materials from the 1840s, including mortice and tenon joints, nogged brick walls, aged timber panels, original paintwork and even newspaper clippings. Instead of covering these, John chose to reveal them in sections, creating a tangible link to the building’s origins.
A new living area was inserted between the two structures to create a modern layout responsive to current building standards and spatial expectations. Four bedrooms were reinstated, along with a single shared bathroom.
Blurring the line between old and new, layered soffit details and exposed ceiling rafters extend from the existing sections through to the updated entry and living spaces. “In effect, the verandah extends and encapsulates the new works, tying new and old together,” says John.
A sleeping beauty reawakened gently, Captain Kelly’s Cottage has been reimagined so seamlessly that it’s impossible to separate the old and new; it’s a heritage restoration and a modern dwelling simultaneously. John’s respect for the cottage’s beginnings is evident, and his nuanced approach to modernisation has brought the home’s past to life while catering to present-day life effortlessly.
“Overarchingly, I felt a duty to be true and authentic to the cottage, its history and its place on the island,” he says. “What began as a simple exercise in renovation became a historic and personal undertaking – to reveal the original character of the cottage and to create contemporary living spaces for family life.”
I felt a duty to be true and authentic to the cottage, its history and its place on the island.
Jown Wardle, Owner/Architect
Buffeted by the tiny island’s near-constant winds and watery surrounds, the cottage’s isolated location, on the traditional lands of the Nuenonne people, made it a tricky renovation to execute. “The location provided a bit of extra logistical gymnastics,” explains John. “The challenge was getting materials and trades to the site as it’s located on an island, off an island.”
Balancing his loyalty to local tradespeople with his pursuit of excellence, John invested the time to lead, guide and inspire his team effectively. While the Wardle family primarily reside in Melbourne, where John’s architectural practice, Wardle Studio, is based, they seek out opportunities to visit the secluded cottage as often as possible.
“In some respects, Captain Kelly’s Cottage is a holiday home, but it’s so much more to me and my family,” says John. “We’ve owned the property since 2002 and operate a working sheep farm of 440 hectares; we try to spend as much time there as we can.”
A world away from city life, the cottage and adjoining property allow them to experience life at a different cadence. “The opportunity to decompress and immerse ourselves in the life of Waterview is incredibly rewarding, and we enjoy being part of the community in North Bruny,” adds John.
Captivated from the beginning by North Bruny Island’s wild and untamed beauty, John says his slow and considered approach to this restoration, which has earned him a swag of trophies, was well worth the effort.“It is an honour to have been acknowledged widely in the profession for the labour of love on Captain Kelly’s,” he says.“But overwhelmingly, it’s a joy to share the cottage and the property with family and friends, which we have done over many years and will continue to do.”
And with the renovation well and truly complete, he adds, “There’s little left to do now but enjoy it.”
Visit wardle.studio or follow @wardle.studio on Instagram.
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