For a musical family of five and a dog, this extension to a weatherboard cottage conceals a gracious double height core. The original cellular nature of the cottage is respected and converted to bedrooms. A new living space steps down to the rear, lit from above and connected by a tapered stair, where the family, von Trapp style, create spontaneous choral performances.

A rear garden addition to a timber cottage steps down the site and hides behind the original ridge line. The interiors are a celebration of texture and informality, light and controlled views.

Planned to preserve existing mature trees, the rear elevation presents a whimsical face to the garden including a built in seat to the rear facade. 

The interior spaces feel generous and connected to the garden although diminutive in scale.

A parent’s space is shoehorned into the top of the new volume - bed, robe, ensuite and study arranged around the void.

While tall, the new extension is invisible from the street frontage due to the topography and its design. It is a surprise in the garden, a play in material texture and white paint, like the original cottage.

Material Used:

1. Bowral Dry Press Face Brick_Interior Walls_Colour Dulux Lexicon

2. Rockcote cemnet render_ Brickwork_Dulux weathershield low sheen Lexicon

3. Solid Blackbutt Timber steps and decking_Clear finish non slip

4. Lysaght_Metal Roof_colour Windspray