Project Of The Week
Renovating
A Small but Mighty Addition to a ’50s Home
A tiny footprint meant an out-of-the-box solution was needed when transforming this two-bed, one-bathroom family home
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or extension each week. Here, building designer Janik Dalecki takes us through his unexpected solution for adding more space to a compact 1950s home.
What was the house like originally?
A compact two-bedroom, one-bathroom 1950s home.
What was the clients’ brief?
They wanted to transform their two-bedroom, one-bathroom house into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a bright, light-filled addition that contrasted with the look of their existing 1950s home.
Materials-wise, they were looking for a palette that reflected their love of raw, unfinished materials.
Finally, they wanted a considered connection to their outdoor area.
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A compact two-bedroom, one-bathroom 1950s home.
What was the clients’ brief?
They wanted to transform their two-bedroom, one-bathroom house into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a bright, light-filled addition that contrasted with the look of their existing 1950s home.
Materials-wise, they were looking for a palette that reflected their love of raw, unfinished materials.
Finally, they wanted a considered connection to their outdoor area.
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What problem did this project address?
The family was rapidly outgrowing their compact home. There was also a disconnection from the kitchen and dining to the living room. There was an even greater disconnection from the master bedroom to the single, shared bathroom, which you had to pass through the kitchen from the master bedroom to access.
The family was rapidly outgrowing their compact home. There was also a disconnection from the kitchen and dining to the living room. There was an even greater disconnection from the master bedroom to the single, shared bathroom, which you had to pass through the kitchen from the master bedroom to access.
What exactly did you do?
We converted the existing formal living room into a master bedroom, and built a new addition to house a new walk-in robe, ensuite and living room.
A pocket of under-utilised space measuring five metres wide by four metres deep (which previously housed an unused carport and storeroom) was identified as the best location for the addition. We pushed this addition forward two metres from the existing facade to gain the space we needed to fit in all the brief requirements.
This location came with challenges; due to the fall of the land, the existing house was quite built up. We therefore opted for a sunken living space so that the addition could be built right up to the boundary without overlooking the neighbouring property.
A stepped ceiling was designed in the new living area, with highlight clerestory windows that filter natural sunlight into the room. These highlight windows also supported over-height 3.5-metre ceilings, increasing the overall volume of the room and creating the illusion of space.
The living room’s entry stairs were designed to be a feature of the room, incorporating a day seat and a large window that opens up to the alfresco area to create indoor-outdoor flow.
We converted the existing formal living room into a master bedroom, and built a new addition to house a new walk-in robe, ensuite and living room.
A pocket of under-utilised space measuring five metres wide by four metres deep (which previously housed an unused carport and storeroom) was identified as the best location for the addition. We pushed this addition forward two metres from the existing facade to gain the space we needed to fit in all the brief requirements.
This location came with challenges; due to the fall of the land, the existing house was quite built up. We therefore opted for a sunken living space so that the addition could be built right up to the boundary without overlooking the neighbouring property.
A stepped ceiling was designed in the new living area, with highlight clerestory windows that filter natural sunlight into the room. These highlight windows also supported over-height 3.5-metre ceilings, increasing the overall volume of the room and creating the illusion of space.
The living room’s entry stairs were designed to be a feature of the room, incorporating a day seat and a large window that opens up to the alfresco area to create indoor-outdoor flow.
Painted brickwork and exposed concrete were used to add textural interest internally, while bold colours and sharp lines externally provided a striking visual contrast with the existing home.
Externally, we used James Hardie Scyon Stria cladding. But rather than using it in its standard horizontal orientation, we applied it vertically to emphasise the 4.8-metre single storey structure height.
Externally, we used James Hardie Scyon Stria cladding. But rather than using it in its standard horizontal orientation, we applied it vertically to emphasise the 4.8-metre single storey structure height.
What were the clients’ must-haves?
An extra bedroom, raw materials, high ceilings and plenty of natural light.
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An extra bedroom, raw materials, high ceilings and plenty of natural light.
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Key features
- Sunken living room with a stepped ceiling
- Overheight 3.5-metre ceilings in the living room extension
- Clerestory windows
- Concrete feature stairs incorporating a day seat
- Built-in storage
- A raw materials palette featuring timber, concrete and bricks with raked joints
Where did most of the $100,000 budget go?
The shell of the living room extension.
How does the new addition co-exist with the original home?
The intention was to provide a statement piece to the front elevation. We were really trying to provide a structure that sat alongside the existing house and contrasted with it – not just in form, shape and scale, but in material and colour palette too.
As the new addition is adjacent to the driveway and quite exposed to the streetscape (unlike the existing house, which is more concealed), it was important that the design could be interpreted as the main initial site by passers-by.
The shell of the living room extension.
How does the new addition co-exist with the original home?
The intention was to provide a statement piece to the front elevation. We were really trying to provide a structure that sat alongside the existing house and contrasted with it – not just in form, shape and scale, but in material and colour palette too.
As the new addition is adjacent to the driveway and quite exposed to the streetscape (unlike the existing house, which is more concealed), it was important that the design could be interpreted as the main initial site by passers-by.
What was the biggest challenge?
A limited budget, combined with a limited building envelope, meant the primary challenge was finding a pocket of space on the block that was large enough to house the additions, without encroaching on the outdoor living or garden area.
Read more building stories
A limited budget, combined with a limited building envelope, meant the primary challenge was finding a pocket of space on the block that was large enough to house the additions, without encroaching on the outdoor living or garden area.
Read more building stories
Materials palette
- Exposed concrete floors
- Painted-face brickwork in Dulux White on White
- Scyon Stria cladding used in a vertical orientation and painted in Dulux Grid
Why do you think this project works?
Because it fits the space so well and meets all the clients’ functional requirements. The room itself has a great energy and connects beautifully to the outdoors.
From the exterior streetscape, the form sits nicely against the existing house and really demands your attention as you pass by, without overpowering the form or scale of the existing house.
Tell us
Are you as smitten with this clever addition as we are? Tell us why in the Comments. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Inspired? Also see last week’s Project of the Week: A Small-Scale Reno With Big Liveability.
Because it fits the space so well and meets all the clients’ functional requirements. The room itself has a great energy and connects beautifully to the outdoors.
From the exterior streetscape, the form sits nicely against the existing house and really demands your attention as you pass by, without overpowering the form or scale of the existing house.
Tell us
Are you as smitten with this clever addition as we are? Tell us why in the Comments. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Inspired? Also see last week’s Project of the Week: A Small-Scale Reno With Big Liveability.
Styling by Jo Carmichael
Answers by Janik Dalecki, building designer and principal at Dalecki Design
Who lives here: A family of three with a toddler son and a dog called Hank
Location: Scarborough, Western Australia
Original size: 93 square metres
Size after extension: 126 square metres, plus a four-square-metre storeroom outside
Gained: A new 33-square-metre living room addition, a new master (third) bedroom and ensuite, and a four-square-metre storeroom outside
Budget: Under $100,000
Building designer: Janik Dalecki, principal at Dalecki Design
Builder: Simon Hansen of Integrated Construction