On a tight budget, the owners were able to transform their home for themselves and their adult children by underpinning a thorough refurbishment with some strategic alterations and a tiny side extension.
A key move was to remove an upper level bedroom to create a double height dining space below. This new focal point for the home has created drama amongst the relatively modest ceiling heights of the the old addition and also opened the living areas to the sky and the trees of the rear yard and surrounding properties. New windows and other metal elements were inserted into the building fabric of the existing rear addition to enliven the spaces. As with the building, as much of the existing was retained as possible when considering the new landscaping throughout the property.
How is the project unique?
1. A new focal point for the home has created drama amongst the relatively modest ceiling heights of the the old addition and also opened the living areas to the sky and the trees of the rear yard and surrounding properties. This was done within the existing shell by removing an upper level bedroom to create a double height dining space below.
2. Significant transformation without increasing the building's floor area.
What was the brief?
To transform a serviceable, but tired and awkward house into a delightful and high quality home for the owners and their adult children, whilst on a restrained budget.
What were the solutions?
1. Refurbishment throughout with lots of custom joinery
2. Minimise structural alterations
3. Strategic alterations or additions kept to a minimum
a) remove upper level bedroom to create void above dining area
b) tiny new side addition for a laundry to release the pressure on the kitchen and to create more space for general storage.
c) new roof to existing rear extension to improve upper level spaces and to sharpen the look of the home from the rear yard
d) new energy efficient powder coated aluminium windows & other black metal elements to sharpen the look of the rear extension
e) new insulation throughout for improved energy efficiency
f) new ensuite within existing Victorian room is a particular area of delight for the owners
Who are the clients and what's interesting about them?
A sophisticated couple en-route to becoming empty nesters looking for a place that could equally be their primary home or a “city pad”
What are the sustainability features?
New low-e & double glazed windows to replace the existing windows &, where possible, new insulation in roofs and walls throughout (where possible) for a more energy efficient building fabric.
Key products used:
Kepler pendant lamp by Ariho Miyake in void above dining table
