This design takes a dark, inward looking 1940s post war Australian suburban house and reimagines it with an elegant addition that connects to its lush landscape setting.

Our homeowners wanted something open, generous and light-filled that would better reflected their personalities.

Full potential

The extension responds to our owners’ brief and allows them to maximise the full potential of the site.

The homeowners had a limited budget so our strategy for the project was to retain and make only small changes to the existing building fabric – this allowed sustainability to be integral to repurposing and extending the home.

We were then able to maximise the new works and concentrate budget on practical elements such as the kitchen, walk-in-pantry, laundry and living areas, where most of the time will be spent.

Garden room

The extension, conceived as a ‘garden room’, sits within a lush new landscaped setting and reimagines the dwelling’s residential context.

The unadorned concrete extension is softened by the selection and integration of interior materials and furnishings.

As you enter your eyes are drawn through an arched opening to the glazed, light-filled pavilion and garden beyond.

Large overhangs protect the house from solar gain while oculus skylights admit dramatic pools of light into the centre of the house, at the same time frame curating views of the sky.

The restrained materials selection of concrete, glass and timber provide evocative yet understated functional spaces for family life.

Openness and generosity

Openness and generosity prevail while subtle zones created within facilitate intimacy and separation of uses.

The interior spaces are designed to flow, creating a sense of fluidity and ease – and a tangible sense of sanctuary.

Green agenda

Sustainability is addressed with high performance glazing, thermal massing, passive cross ventilation, tanks for harvesting rain water, and concealed solar panels on the roof.

At the same time, detailing is simplified to respond to budget and minimise waste.

The reinvented house achieves a delicate balance between mass and weightlessness – reflecting a restrained exploration in form and light.

The resulting sustainable family home provides a sheltered and intimate backdrop to busy family life.