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Architecture
Renovating
Beautiful Bones: The Gentle Reimagining of a Heritage Home
A new addition to this Californian bungalow honours its history and incorporates smart touches for modern living
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or extension each week. Here, the eponymous architect and principal of Lisa Breeze Architect reveals how she transformed a three-bedroom, one-bathroom heritage home in Coburg, Victoria. What was once a poorly planned house is now a bright, welcoming and smartly laid-out home with generous living spaces and a new powder room for a family of three.
Artwork: ‘Transparent’ mixed media on canvas by Antoinette Ferwerda
Gained
Thinking about extending? Chat with an architect on Houzz to find out what’s possible on your site
Gained
- A new rear addition containing an open-plan meals, living area and study space. The new living area houses a large custom joinery unit with a desk, display storage and an entertainment unit.
- A new kitchen.
- A new bathroom.
- A new powder room.
- A new walk-through laundry.
Thinking about extending? Chat with an architect on Houzz to find out what’s possible on your site
The facade after works
What was the house like originally?
A single-storey Californian bungalow with three bedrooms and one bathroom.
What wasn’t working for the client about the house originally?
What was the house like originally?
A single-storey Californian bungalow with three bedrooms and one bathroom.
What wasn’t working for the client about the house originally?
- The layout of the rear of the house was poor in terms of its circulation and integration with the rest of the home.
- The living room was too small.
- The kitchen was poorly laid out and the dining area was separate.
- There was a weak connection with the backyard.
The floor plan after works
What problems did this project address?
The client wanted a home that was a similar size to their existing one, but with a better layout and improved functionality.
We implemented an apartment-like strategy when planning some of the spaces to achieve a compact floor plan and prevent the house from becoming too big. When it came to the new addition, we didn’t want it to look like a box tacked onto the back of the house or to encroach too much into the backyard.
What problems did this project address?
The client wanted a home that was a similar size to their existing one, but with a better layout and improved functionality.
We implemented an apartment-like strategy when planning some of the spaces to achieve a compact floor plan and prevent the house from becoming too big. When it came to the new addition, we didn’t want it to look like a box tacked onto the back of the house or to encroach too much into the backyard.
What was the client’s brief?
To create functional, beautiful spaces with plenty of natural light in a small footprint.
The client had already restored the front of the house with the utmost respect before we came on board, so we didn’t need to do anything there.
What were the client’s must-haves?
To create functional, beautiful spaces with plenty of natural light in a small footprint.
The client had already restored the front of the house with the utmost respect before we came on board, so we didn’t need to do anything there.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- A strong connection to the the backyard, working in with the existing deck.
- Plenty of natural light. As is typical of Californian bungalows, this house is double-fronted, and the client particularly wanted to bring natural light into the middle of it.
- A study area, but not necessarily in a separate room.
- Lots of storage.
- A ‘shoe grid’ (a genius shoe-storage solution) in the new laundry.
What exactly did you do?
The budget for this project was restrained. It partly went towards the extension, partly to rearranging the existing areas of the home, and a smaller portion went on rectifying elements in and around the house.
- Converted the original living room into a walk-through laundry, full bathroom and powder room.
- Replaced the original kitchen with a new one (but kept it in the same spot).
- Added a new rear addition housing a meals, living and informal study area.
- Created new rear openings to boost the connection between the interior and the backyard (which also increased ventilation, natural light and access to views).
- Added in plenty of additional storage.
The budget for this project was restrained. It partly went towards the extension, partly to rearranging the existing areas of the home, and a smaller portion went on rectifying elements in and around the house.
How does the new work address the problems identified above?
The new home is only slightly larger than the existing one, but the use of space has been highly refined to suit the owners’ needs. The connection to the backyard has also been vastly improved.
How does the new extension complement or contrast with the original home?
As a design style, Californian bungalows are simple but strong and we sought to pay homage to this with the new rear addition – with a contemporary spin.
This led to a simple gable roof form for the extension with three-dimensional timber cladding that creates a lovely shadow play on the rear form – a quiet reference to the shade and depth that traditional weatherboards provide.
The new home is only slightly larger than the existing one, but the use of space has been highly refined to suit the owners’ needs. The connection to the backyard has also been vastly improved.
How does the new extension complement or contrast with the original home?
As a design style, Californian bungalows are simple but strong and we sought to pay homage to this with the new rear addition – with a contemporary spin.
This led to a simple gable roof form for the extension with three-dimensional timber cladding that creates a lovely shadow play on the rear form – a quiet reference to the shade and depth that traditional weatherboards provide.
We love features such as the deep window seat and exposed brick wall – tell us about them
They are both part of the new extension. The window seat frames the view to the outside, while adding functional seating and storage space to the living room. There are concealed cupboards in the walls around the window seat and drawers beneath it – the timber surrounds are actually handles.
The client used recycled bricks as paving in the front yard and it looks lovely. The old bricks have a beautiful patina, as well as strong sustainability credentials, so we sought to use them in the interior for the new boundary wall and as a plinth for the new extension to sit on.
They are both part of the new extension. The window seat frames the view to the outside, while adding functional seating and storage space to the living room. There are concealed cupboards in the walls around the window seat and drawers beneath it – the timber surrounds are actually handles.
The client used recycled bricks as paving in the front yard and it looks lovely. The old bricks have a beautiful patina, as well as strong sustainability credentials, so we sought to use them in the interior for the new boundary wall and as a plinth for the new extension to sit on.
What challenges did you have to work around?
All renovations of older homes in Melbourne face similar challenges, such as complying with siting regulations including side setbacks and wall heights.
The unknowns of what the existing structure and ground conditions would reveal and access to the rear for machinery were two other challenges.
All renovations of older homes in Melbourne face similar challenges, such as complying with siting regulations including side setbacks and wall heights.
The unknowns of what the existing structure and ground conditions would reveal and access to the rear for machinery were two other challenges.
The custom joinery unit houses a desk, display space and entertainment storage
How is the new extension connected to the original house?
The home’s open-plan living space is located in the same spot where the new extension connects to the existing home. Here, we played with the ceiling forms to help delineate spaces within spaces.
It is not obvious through photography, but the varied ceiling forms in the extension are a highlight of this home. With carvings for the skylight seams positioned in between, the pitches and flats come together to define each individual area within the larger space – all while holding things together, both literally and metaphorically.
How is the new extension connected to the original house?
The home’s open-plan living space is located in the same spot where the new extension connects to the existing home. Here, we played with the ceiling forms to help delineate spaces within spaces.
It is not obvious through photography, but the varied ceiling forms in the extension are a highlight of this home. With carvings for the skylight seams positioned in between, the pitches and flats come together to define each individual area within the larger space – all while holding things together, both literally and metaphorically.
What are the key features?
- Compact and efficient floor planning.
- The strong yet humble form and materials of the extension.
- The varied ceiling forms, which help to delineate individual areas within the larger space.
- Cleverly formed, located and crafted ceiling openings and skylights.
- The use of recycled and locally sourced materials where practical.
- Secret window seat storage.
Why do you think this addition works so well?
It is clearly a contemporary addition sitting right next to the older part of the home. But through its simple form and considered cladding, it looks as though it is meant to be there – and that will remain the case for the next 50 years and hopefully longer.
It is clearly a contemporary addition sitting right next to the older part of the home. But through its simple form and considered cladding, it looks as though it is meant to be there – and that will remain the case for the next 50 years and hopefully longer.
The new laundry
Interior materials palette
Interior materials palette
- Recycled Tasmanian oak flooring (sourced by the builder).
- Kitchen and laundry benchtops in messmate timber by Lisa Breeze Architect, custom-made by the project’s joiner.
- Artedomus Inax Sugie ceramic mosaic tiles in Grey on kitchen splashback.
- Artedomus Inax Sugie ceramic mosaic tiles in White on laundry splashback and in the powder room.
- Artedomus Fiandre New Ground porcelain tiles in Anthracite on the bathroom floor.
- Design Republic Mosa Murals Pattern PT #1331, including a combination of Bright White Stone Matt and Bright White Gloss ceramic mosaic tiles, on the bathroom wall.
Key fittings and fixtures
Paint colours
- Anna Charlesworth brass wall light next to the window seat.
- Shelving unit custom-designed by Lisa Breeze Architect and made by the project’s joiner.
- Laufen Pro wall basin in the bathroom.
- Astra Walker Icon tap in the laundry.
Paint colours
The new shoe grid in the laundry
Exterior materials palette
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this clever renovation as we are? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more impressive renovations? Don’t miss this Room of the Week – From Awkward to Shapely and Chic: A Victorian Terrace Reborn
Exterior materials palette
- Eco Timber blackbutt three-dimensional shiplap profile cladding to the new extension.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this clever renovation as we are? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more impressive renovations? Don’t miss this Room of the Week – From Awkward to Shapely and Chic: A Victorian Terrace Reborn
Answers by Lisa Breeze, architect at Lisa Breeze Architect
Who lives here: A couple with one child
Location: Coburg, Victoria
Original size: 118 square metres
Size after works: 136 square metres
Architect: Lisa Breeze
Builder: Never Stop Group
Stylist: Natalie James
Did you use Houzz for this project?
Yes! We find Houzz a great research tool for clients. Plus, it’s handy for architects to source images that help explain ideas to clients.