A Pint-Size Addition With Light, Space and Storage... on a Budget
See how this architect created a 27-square-metre addition on a modest budget packed with family-friendly features
Georgia Madden
19 December 2019
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or redesign each week. Here, architect and interior designer Nicola Dovey at Drawing Room Architecture shares the journey of adding a mini rear extension to a four-bedroom, one-bathroom Victorian home in Melbourne on a modest budget. The fresh new space provides a young family with plenty of room to cook, bathe, dine and enjoy an indoor-outdoor connection.
Images by Daniel Fuge
Answers by Nicola Dovey at Drawing Room Architecture
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Thornbury, Victoria
Size of the main house (untouched during works): 90 square metres
Size of the new addition: 27 square metres
Architect and interior designer: Nicola Dovey at Drawing Room Architecture
Builder: Tim Butler at Alphington Builders
Engineer: Helen Tolkach at Structural Bureau
Answers by Nicola Dovey at Drawing Room Architecture
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Thornbury, Victoria
Size of the main house (untouched during works): 90 square metres
Size of the new addition: 27 square metres
Architect and interior designer: Nicola Dovey at Drawing Room Architecture
Builder: Tim Butler at Alphington Builders
Engineer: Helen Tolkach at Structural Bureau
The rear exterior after works
Gained
An extension to the rear of a single-storey, four-bedroom, one-bathroom Victorian weatherboard house. The extension features a new kitchen, dining room, bathroom, laundry and a large external bike shed.
Gained
An extension to the rear of a single-storey, four-bedroom, one-bathroom Victorian weatherboard house. The extension features a new kitchen, dining room, bathroom, laundry and a large external bike shed.
The rear exterior before works
What was here originally?
A dated and poor-quality lean-to with a small balcony, which we removed to make way for the new addition.
We rebuilt the 27-square-metre addition in the same footprint as the original lean-to, as the clients wanted to retain as much of their existing courtyard and backyard as possible.
Looking to extend? Find a local architect near you on Houzz who can make it happen
What was here originally?
A dated and poor-quality lean-to with a small balcony, which we removed to make way for the new addition.
We rebuilt the 27-square-metre addition in the same footprint as the original lean-to, as the clients wanted to retain as much of their existing courtyard and backyard as possible.
Looking to extend? Find a local architect near you on Houzz who can make it happen
The floor plan of the rear exterior before the extension was added
What wasn’t working for the client about the original lean-to?
Connection to the backyard was poor – you could do little more than catch glimpses of it through a window in the kitchen. Storage was inadequate and the materials and surfaces throughout were low-quality and worn.
The space was very hot in summer and cold in winter. Plus, the layout was poor and the family was constantly falling over each other when they were in here.
What was the client’s brief?
What wasn’t working for the client about the original lean-to?
Connection to the backyard was poor – you could do little more than catch glimpses of it through a window in the kitchen. Storage was inadequate and the materials and surfaces throughout were low-quality and worn.
The space was very hot in summer and cold in winter. Plus, the layout was poor and the family was constantly falling over each other when they were in here.
What was the client’s brief?
- A light, warm, open-plan kitchen/living area for the family to use and enjoy.
- The new space needed to open onto the garden.
- Lots of storage, natural light and beautiful touches.
The floor plan after works
What were the client’s must-haves?
What were the client’s must-haves?
- A well-appointed kitchen.
- Specific and general storage.
- Views to the garden so they can see the kids playing.
- Natural timber.
- Plenty of natural light.
- Light colours.
The kitchen before works
The kitchen after works. Victorian ash was used throughout this project to add warmth and offset the white interior
How did you maximise natural light here?
Daylight comes in through skylights in the kitchen and bathroom, and through the wall of windows facing the backyard.
An external blind can be attached to the awning to shade the windows from the western sun.
How did you maximise natural light here?
Daylight comes in through skylights in the kitchen and bathroom, and through the wall of windows facing the backyard.
An external blind can be attached to the awning to shade the windows from the western sun.
What about thermal control?
The extension is substantially insulated with double-glazed windows to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. Ducted heating is also concealed in the kicker of the cupboards along the back wall.
The extension is substantially insulated with double-glazed windows to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. Ducted heating is also concealed in the kicker of the cupboards along the back wall.
What was the budget?
Approximately $120,000.
Where did most of it go?
The structure needed to be rebuilt as it was too poor to reuse. This meant a new subfloor structure, floor, wall frames, roof, ceiling and guttering.
The budget also covered three large new windows, the large sliding door to the backyard and two skylights.
Plus, there was substantial joinery to create the kitchen, pantry/fridge unit, laundry, bathroom and storage wall.
Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries are the most expensive elements to build as you need up to nine trades to build each one. This extension is effectively a kitchen, laundry and bathroom with an additional area for meals and living.
Approximately $120,000.
Where did most of it go?
The structure needed to be rebuilt as it was too poor to reuse. This meant a new subfloor structure, floor, wall frames, roof, ceiling and guttering.
The budget also covered three large new windows, the large sliding door to the backyard and two skylights.
Plus, there was substantial joinery to create the kitchen, pantry/fridge unit, laundry, bathroom and storage wall.
Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries are the most expensive elements to build as you need up to nine trades to build each one. This extension is effectively a kitchen, laundry and bathroom with an additional area for meals and living.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The small footprint meant that everything had to be designed to maximise space and amenity, with not a centimetre wasted.
The budget was also modest given what needed to be built, so design solutions had to be well-considered and bring equal parts interest and simplicity.
As everything is essentially on display – the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry – the interior needed to be simple, with the ability to close off or conceal areas when necessary.
The small footprint meant that everything had to be designed to maximise space and amenity, with not a centimetre wasted.
The budget was also modest given what needed to be built, so design solutions had to be well-considered and bring equal parts interest and simplicity.
As everything is essentially on display – the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry – the interior needed to be simple, with the ability to close off or conceal areas when necessary.
What problem or constraint did this project address?
A very small, 27-square-metre footprint.
How does the new work address this constraint?
It’s warm, sunny, light and full of character. Features such as high ceilings and considered storage, which provides a space for everything, make the area feel spacious. Meals, living and play can now happen easily inside and out. Generous windows and sliding doors mean the parents can easily observe the children at play in the backyard.
A very small, 27-square-metre footprint.
How does the new work address this constraint?
It’s warm, sunny, light and full of character. Features such as high ceilings and considered storage, which provides a space for everything, make the area feel spacious. Meals, living and play can now happen easily inside and out. Generous windows and sliding doors mean the parents can easily observe the children at play in the backyard.
Tell us about the open display shelves
These clients have beautiful and interesting pieces and they needed spaces to display them. I’m a big believer in art, craft and plants to enliven an indoor space. I believe that displaying kids’ and family mementos is the making of a home.
These clients have beautiful and interesting pieces and they needed spaces to display them. I’m a big believer in art, craft and plants to enliven an indoor space. I believe that displaying kids’ and family mementos is the making of a home.
How did you address the lack of space here?
Because the space is so small, we had no room for a swing door in the bathroom. Instead, we used a cavity slider. We specified a solid-timber door, painted white, for privacy and acoustic control, and trimmed the cavity with timber to add warmth.
We specified built-in joinery to maximise storage and to be as efficient with the space as possible. We created a storage wall in the dining room with an end display and concealed uplighting.
In the kitchen, we specified a pull-out extending corner cupboard, a tall, narrow pantry beside the fridge, a drying rack over the sink, and a drawer unit on wheels with a butcher’s block on top. This can be moved around the kitchen to provide storage and an extra food-preparation space as and where it’s needed.
We concealed the laundry behind bi-fold doors in the kitchen.
Because the space is so small, we had no room for a swing door in the bathroom. Instead, we used a cavity slider. We specified a solid-timber door, painted white, for privacy and acoustic control, and trimmed the cavity with timber to add warmth.
We specified built-in joinery to maximise storage and to be as efficient with the space as possible. We created a storage wall in the dining room with an end display and concealed uplighting.
In the kitchen, we specified a pull-out extending corner cupboard, a tall, narrow pantry beside the fridge, a drying rack over the sink, and a drawer unit on wheels with a butcher’s block on top. This can be moved around the kitchen to provide storage and an extra food-preparation space as and where it’s needed.
We concealed the laundry behind bi-fold doors in the kitchen.
Why do you think this extension works so well?
It was highly considered and very well-built.
Working with these clients also helped us achieve this great outcome; they gave us complete trust in delivering the project and were open to new ideas and creative ways to live. They were keen to see a good outcome and were articulate and able to make good decisions in a timely manner.
It was highly considered and very well-built.
Working with these clients also helped us achieve this great outcome; they gave us complete trust in delivering the project and were open to new ideas and creative ways to live. They were keen to see a good outcome and were articulate and able to make good decisions in a timely manner.
A retractable vertical blind can be hung on the new external awning frame to cut out the hot afternoon sun, or vines can grow over it
Tell us about the modest exterior cladding
Barestone compressed-cement sheeting is pre-finished, durable and, as it doesn’t need painting or finishing, it’s a very low-maintenance choice for this west-facing wall. It will get a beating from the sun over the coming years and will still look great in 10 years’ time. Plus, it sits really well with the warm timber awning, window and door frames.
It also has a small amount of thermal density so it slows down heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. But mostly I like it because it has an honesty to it. It is what it is – and I like its humble presence.
Tell us about the modest exterior cladding
Barestone compressed-cement sheeting is pre-finished, durable and, as it doesn’t need painting or finishing, it’s a very low-maintenance choice for this west-facing wall. It will get a beating from the sun over the coming years and will still look great in 10 years’ time. Plus, it sits really well with the warm timber awning, window and door frames.
It also has a small amount of thermal density so it slows down heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. But mostly I like it because it has an honesty to it. It is what it is – and I like its humble presence.
What is behind the corrugated-steel door?
This was a bit of fun. The client said they liked to train on their bike in the courtyard at night when the kids are asleep. I thought he might like to have a glowing light to illuminate the garden to make it more fun being there in the semi-dark, pedalling away on a bike stand going nowhere.
The door is polycarbonate – it’s translucent and glows at night, thanks to a solar light inside the shed.
This was a bit of fun. The client said they liked to train on their bike in the courtyard at night when the kids are asleep. I thought he might like to have a glowing light to illuminate the garden to make it more fun being there in the semi-dark, pedalling away on a bike stand going nowhere.
The door is polycarbonate – it’s translucent and glows at night, thanks to a solar light inside the shed.
Key features
Interior finishes and fittings
- Natural light.
- Space-maximising features.
- A restrained colour and materials palette with white and timber at its heart.
- Tall ceilings.
- Simple detailing.
Interior finishes and fittings
- Classic Ceramics white-gloss tiles in the kitchen.
- Auhaus Products copper door pulls to the kitchen cabinets.
- Vinyl-wrap satin-white cabinetry to the kitchen.
- Ikea Godmorgon vanity.
- Artedomus Vaisselle green tiles.
- Rogerseller tapware.
- Victorian ash timber detailing.
A view inside the hallway of the main house, which connects to the new rear extension
Exterior materials palette
Paint
Your turn
Did this extension inspire you? Tell us which features you love in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more space-savvy ideas? Check out 4 Great Small Bathrooms… and How They Did It
Exterior materials palette
- CSR Cemintel Barestone compressed-cement cladding.
- Awning and door frames in stringybark timber.
Paint
- Dulux Natural White used inside and out.
Your turn
Did this extension inspire you? Tell us which features you love in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more space-savvy ideas? Check out 4 Great Small Bathrooms… and How They Did It
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Very nice. Is the lounge the 4 th bedroom ? Or is there a second storey?
Really like this extension. Compliments the front, existing Victorian era home and doesn’t try to make a ‘design statement’ or upstage it. The only change I would make would be to the exterior cladding. I think this would have been better in an insulated weatherboard. But otherwise a great design.
Wondering about the external sliding door. Have never seen one that slides outside the house. Doesn't look very secure and the door hardware doesn't look very strong either.