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Face Time: A Reno & Extension That's All About Connection
See how an architect added light, space, fun and a sense of connection to an inner-suburban Melbourne home
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, architect Andrew Wilson, director at Warc Studio Architects, reveals how he updated and expanded an awkwardly laid-out period home for a family of five, while providing plenty of opportunities for them to stay connected.
The rear of the house before works
What was the original house like?
A single-storey Edwardian residence on a moderate-sized site with a rear southern aspect. The site was densely surrounded by two- and three-storey buildings on three sides.
While the existing residence contained numerous rooms, they were poorly planned – the rooms were small with poor circulation.
There was some access to the rear garden, however it was far from maximised.
What was the original house like?
A single-storey Edwardian residence on a moderate-sized site with a rear southern aspect. The site was densely surrounded by two- and three-storey buildings on three sides.
While the existing residence contained numerous rooms, they were poorly planned – the rooms were small with poor circulation.
There was some access to the rear garden, however it was far from maximised.
The kitchen before works
What wasn’t working for the client about the house originally?
There was not enough space and circulation was poor and not lifestyle-friendly.
Keen to get started on your own renovation? Have a chat with a local architect on Houzz
What wasn’t working for the client about the house originally?
There was not enough space and circulation was poor and not lifestyle-friendly.
Keen to get started on your own renovation? Have a chat with a local architect on Houzz
The original floor plan
Brief
To design substantial new spaces including three first-floor bedrooms and a play area, new living spaces, a cellar and a home office. Due to the site’s southern aspect, we were challenged to create spaces that brought natural light to the rear living areas.
What were the client’s must-haves?
Brief
To design substantial new spaces including three first-floor bedrooms and a play area, new living spaces, a cellar and a home office. Due to the site’s southern aspect, we were challenged to create spaces that brought natural light to the rear living areas.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- Multiple living spaces.
- Natural light.
- A cellar.
The new ground-floor plan
What was the budget?
Around $650,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the new additions.
What was the budget?
Around $650,000.
Where did most of it go?
On the new additions.
The new first-floor plan
What exactly did you do?
What exactly did you do?
- Converted the two front rooms into a master suite and home office.
- Only the two front rooms and passage were retained – the rest of the original home was demolished and rebuilt or modified.
- Added new open living areas that connect to the garden.
- Added a new first floor with three bedrooms, a study, playroom and bathroom.
- Included a series of voids and openings to ensure interconnection between the different spaces.
Tell us about the sweet little window
The entertainment unit runs into an external wall. We thought that placing a window at the end of the entertainment unit would provide a moment of connection to the exterior.
The entertainment unit runs into an external wall. We thought that placing a window at the end of the entertainment unit would provide a moment of connection to the exterior.
What problem or constraint did this project address?
The southern aspect and substantially built-up surrounding building fabric meant light was restricted. The proposed design employed numerous strategies to overcome this.
How does the new work address these issues?
All the required spaces have been provided. The additions address the rear garden and the circulation through the space is now celebrated.
The voids and openings in the spaces facilitate communication between family members as well as allowing light to filter through the interior. The living rooms feature stacking sliding doors that open to the garden.
The southern aspect and substantially built-up surrounding building fabric meant light was restricted. The proposed design employed numerous strategies to overcome this.
How does the new work address these issues?
All the required spaces have been provided. The additions address the rear garden and the circulation through the space is now celebrated.
The voids and openings in the spaces facilitate communication between family members as well as allowing light to filter through the interior. The living rooms feature stacking sliding doors that open to the garden.
How does the new extension complement or contrast with the original home?
The additions are unashamedly contemporary and celebrate spatial interaction. Notwithstanding, the roof form of the additions was selected to complement the gabled roof of the existing residence.
How is the new extension connected to the original house and what was your thinking behind it?
The connection is seamless. The circulation now allows views from the front entrance directly through to the rear garden.
The additions are unashamedly contemporary and celebrate spatial interaction. Notwithstanding, the roof form of the additions was selected to complement the gabled roof of the existing residence.
How is the new extension connected to the original house and what was your thinking behind it?
The connection is seamless. The circulation now allows views from the front entrance directly through to the rear garden.
Tell us about the mesh alongside the staircase
We named this project ‘Interact’ due to the interaction that is engendered between spaces. The stair mesh allows views from the kitchen through the stair to the butler’s pantry and is one of numerous examples in this project that championed spatial interaction.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The southern aspect meant we had to find alternate strategies to bring natural light into the living spaces. This was achieved through a series of voids and openings that connected the spaces.
We named this project ‘Interact’ due to the interaction that is engendered between spaces. The stair mesh allows views from the kitchen through the stair to the butler’s pantry and is one of numerous examples in this project that championed spatial interaction.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The southern aspect meant we had to find alternate strategies to bring natural light into the living spaces. This was achieved through a series of voids and openings that connected the spaces.
The main ground-floor bathroom
We love the step-up bath – tell us about it
The client wanted a bath and a shower. Given the long, rectangular shape of the room, our choice was to cram the shower against the bath or come up with something different.
The stepped design enables a ‘wet-area platform’ for the shower and under-mounted bath. Not having a glass shower screen also makes for easier cleaning.
We love the step-up bath – tell us about it
The client wanted a bath and a shower. Given the long, rectangular shape of the room, our choice was to cram the shower against the bath or come up with something different.
The stepped design enables a ‘wet-area platform’ for the shower and under-mounted bath. Not having a glass shower screen also makes for easier cleaning.
The kids’ study has a ‘peekaboo’ window that connects to the adjoining playroom – and provides another opportunity for fun
What are the defining features of this project?
What are the defining features of this project?
- Interior spaces designed for interconnection and spatial interaction.
- Connection to the rear garden
- Natural light.
- A rich and elegant materials palette.
X-shaped finger pulls to the cupboards in the children’s bedrooms add another touch of playfulness
Why do you think this extension works so well?
There are many ‘McMansions’ in this area that have volumes of floor space, which can make their occupants feel autonomous and isolated. In contrast (and in discussions with our client), we were keen to provide spatial solutions that allowed the family to interact and connect.
Why do you think this extension works so well?
There are many ‘McMansions’ in this area that have volumes of floor space, which can make their occupants feel autonomous and isolated. In contrast (and in discussions with our client), we were keen to provide spatial solutions that allowed the family to interact and connect.
The first-floor children’s bathroom
Interior materials and fixtures
Exterior materials
Your turn
What do you love most about this family home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more extensions to family homes? Don’t miss this amazing Project of the Week, Pattern Cottage: A Second Storey & Pretty Prints For a Sweet Home
Interior materials and fixtures
- Polished concrete floors to the ground level.
- Plasterboard walls with Maxiply Russian birch plywood panels finished in Quantum Stain.
- Polytec Ravine Black Wenge woodgrain laminate to the kitchen cabinetry.
- Cosentino Dekton Sirius benchtop.
- Signorino Tile Gallery Grey Tundra tiles to the main ground-floor bathroom.
- Custom-made timber window and doors finished in Quantum Stain.
- Reece sanitaryware.
Exterior materials
- Nailstrip metal wall cladding in Colorbond Monument.
- Woodform Architectural spotted-gum battens finished in in Quantum Stain.
Your turn
What do you love most about this family home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more extensions to family homes? Don’t miss this amazing Project of the Week, Pattern Cottage: A Second Storey & Pretty Prints For a Sweet Home
Images by Aaron Pocock
Answers by Andrew Wilson, director at Warc Studio Architects
Who lives here: A couple with three children
Location: Armadale, Victoria
Size of the original single-storey house: 225 square metres
Size of the two-storey house after works: 354 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms originally: Five bedrooms and two bathrooms
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Five bedrooms and four bathrooms
Architect and interior designer: Warc Studio Architects
Builder: Constructive Group
Structural engineer: Structplan