Project Description
The original 1940's villa lay unchanged for 70 years. Through relatively minor alterations and for a modest budget, the house was transformed. Internal walls were removed, and spaces reconfigured within the existing 166m2 envelope. A very modest area of 24m2 was added.
Brief
Our brief was to create a family friendly and comfortable four bedroom, two bathroom family home with a modest budget.
Approach and Design Elements
Doing more with less. Through adding less, and building less, we made the most of what was there through careful planning and considered alterations. The original home had three children accommodated in one room. Through a reorganisation of space, each child was able to have their own room, whilst adding a floor area of 12m2 to the floor plate.
Using materials that belong.
New materials relate to the original materials of the home, whilst adding warmth and texture. The original dwelling was rendered and painted brick work offering a flat even surface. This was contrasted with new timber shingles, which add richness and complexity to the palette. Selected materials have a strong relationship with the original materials of the home.
• Linear timber ceiling battens speak to the original timber floorboards.
• Bluestone tiles speak to original bluestone window sills. Both stone and battens flow from inside to outside and draw the eye beyond.
Making the home appear larger.
Through connecting the house and garden, the apparent size of the house grew. This was achieved through a variety of approaches including:
• The creation of a vista through the axis of the house, elongating the view and drawing in the front and rear gardens.
• Terminating the corridor with a glazed door, allowing natural light, airflow, exaggerating space and creating an experience.
• Using the corridor as a work space, with the laundry and storage cupboards opening off it.
• Inserting circular skylights with black steel rings, allowing natural light into previously dark spaces.
• Lowering the ceiling of the new extension, which exaggerates the apparent height of the original ceiling and maximises the impression of space. A deceptively simple linear external elevation creates a form that sits neatly against the existing pitched roof form. The birds mouth detail fascia creates a finer detail that lightens the whole.
Concealing the mess of life.
Abundant storage and secret niches behind doors ensure that there is a place for everything. The laundry is concealed behind a large flush panel sliding door I the corridor, the work space concealed behind a sliding door in the family area. These concealed sliding doors and pivot internal steel doors create seamless transition between spaces.
Final Outcome
This renovation has been an extremely effective transformation on a modest budget: it provides a model that is well suited to many homes: bigger isn't always better.
