Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: L-Shaped Home Turns a Corner With Resourceful Recycling
Sustainable timbers and reused materials shape the character of an overhauled Melbourne terrace with an awkward angle
Kelly Irish and her husband Johnny Cussen inherited both a challenge and an opportunity when they moved into a traditional Victorian terrace in Melbourne. The house had a rather unusual feature: an extra ‘leg’ running off the rear of the property. This curious makeshift structure contained a series of ramshackle sheds and, while this gave the block extra area, they called on Ande Bunbury Architects for help on how to put it to optimum use. Bunbury soon realised the space required what she terms “a delicate spatial rearrangement”.
Apart from a more functional third bedroom and improvement of the poorly constructed building, the owners of the oddly-shaped house wanted high-level environmental performance and extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials. The fruit of their collaboration with Bunbury is a home with space and privacy, vastly improved light quality and many energy-efficient features. Although Kelly and Johnny have recently moved on from this much-loved dwelling, they have engaged Bunbury to apply the same sustainability and recycling ethic to their new Melbourne home.
Photos by Ben Hosking
Apart from a more functional third bedroom and improvement of the poorly constructed building, the owners of the oddly-shaped house wanted high-level environmental performance and extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials. The fruit of their collaboration with Bunbury is a home with space and privacy, vastly improved light quality and many energy-efficient features. Although Kelly and Johnny have recently moved on from this much-loved dwelling, they have engaged Bunbury to apply the same sustainability and recycling ethic to their new Melbourne home.
Photos by Ben Hosking
“The owners wanted the third bedroom in the main house, but didn’t want to go out into the laundry to get into it. Internal connection to the bedroom was key to rationalising the design,” says Bunbury.
Clarifying the clumsy layout began with demolition of the sheds that formed the ‘dogleg’ of the layout (seen here on the top right of the existing floor plan).
Clarifying the clumsy layout began with demolition of the sheds that formed the ‘dogleg’ of the layout (seen here on the top right of the existing floor plan).
AFTER: Owner Kelly says that the house “had amazing bones” and the new layout began to fall into place with the demolition of the sheds. Where the sheds were is now a carport entered from the rear of the property and a new storage shed. A feature that changed dramatically how Kelly and Johnny used the outdoor area is the roof deck that now sits above the space.
The elevated deck was a favourite relaxing spot for the couple. It is hidden from the house because of the L-shaped configuration and is remarkably private in a fairly high-density inner city suburb.
Before engaging Bunbury to rescue their home, Kelly and Johnny searched extensively online for an architect whose sustainability ethic matched their own. “Designing environmentally sensitive buildings with sustainable materials is a core principle of all our work. Kelly and Johnny were very committed to maximising environmental impact in this renovation,” says Bunbury.
The rusted corrugated metal wall to the north of the building was left in place, giving a whimsical link to the house’s background.
The rusted corrugated metal wall to the north of the building was left in place, giving a whimsical link to the house’s background.
“We kept the lovely trees in the rear section,” says Kelly. “We overlook them from our bedroom upstairs. There is a mature olive tree, crabapple, maple, apple and lilly pillys. The clothesline and the cream and green had to go!” A new more space-efficient clothesline was positioned at the side of the house.
The brick paving that was removed from the outdoor area was replaced with decking in Silvertop Ash, a plantation regrowth timber, and balustrades of radially-sawn timber from local regrowth forests. Bunbury saved as much of the brick paving as possible, for use in other projects. Kelly and Johnny’s children’s cubby house in this area was retained.
“Radial sawing uses the entire log so minimises production waste,” explains Bunbury.
More: Who’s On Deck: 5 Hardwoods Suited to the Australian Climate
“Radial sawing uses the entire log so minimises production waste,” explains Bunbury.
More: Who’s On Deck: 5 Hardwoods Suited to the Australian Climate
Internally, lack of access to northern light, because of a solid wall along the north boundary, was one of the biggest design obstacles that Bunbury encountered. “We wanted to add a window in the north boundary wall but the council wouldn’t let us,” she says. The solution was roof glazing over the new internal staircase, which lets good light into the living areas. The glazing was angled to the west, so summer heat was minimised by an external automated shade.
As shown in this floorplan, the new internal staircase that links to the top level bedroom and office was located to the north side of the living area, for passive solar gain, says Bunbury.
More: 9 Principles of Effective Passive Solar Design in and Around the Home
More: 9 Principles of Effective Passive Solar Design in and Around the Home
The new staircase not only addressed light and internal access issues, but provided masses of inconspicuous understair storage needed for a family with two young children. “The staircase is beautiful, and so efficient – you can never have enough storage and it was done brilliantly,” says Kelly. The space holds bookshelves, and drawers hidden in the stair treads. At the high end, a full pantry and fridge service the open plan kitchen.
The stair treads are recycled timber and the balustrade is Silvertop Ash. Low VOC paints and sealants were used throughout the house. Powder-coat paint finishes for joinery are extremely low in these environmentally damaging compounds.
ABOUT VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds, found in many solvent-based paints and building materials, are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Their effect on internal air quality ranges from irritation to toxicity. Some paint companies market zero VOC products.
The stair treads are recycled timber and the balustrade is Silvertop Ash. Low VOC paints and sealants were used throughout the house. Powder-coat paint finishes for joinery are extremely low in these environmentally damaging compounds.
ABOUT VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds, found in many solvent-based paints and building materials, are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Their effect on internal air quality ranges from irritation to toxicity. Some paint companies market zero VOC products.
In keeping with the owners’ wish for eco-sensitivity in construction materials, all joinery was built of E0 low formaldehyde emission MDF (medium density fibreboard).
ABOUT FORMALDEHYDE: It is a pungent colourless gas used in resin glues for pressed wood products like MDF. Australian standards limit formaldehyde emission levels and classify them from E0 (low) to E3. E0 was used throughout this project.
ABOUT FORMALDEHYDE: It is a pungent colourless gas used in resin glues for pressed wood products like MDF. Australian standards limit formaldehyde emission levels and classify them from E0 (low) to E3. E0 was used throughout this project.
“The kitchen was the focus of the house,” says Kelly. “I spent most of my time there and we designed it so it would be fun for people to sit comfortably at the island bench while I carried on cooking. ”
Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms have self-sealing vents to stop heat loss, and kitchen appliances were chosen for their low energy rating. All windows are framed with sustainable timber and both windows and doors are double-glazed. Benchtops are textured reconstituted stone.
The floors throughout the house are of Messmate timber, a hardwood that can be sourced locally in Victoria.
Posh Solus sink mixer: Reece Plumbing
The floors throughout the house are of Messmate timber, a hardwood that can be sourced locally in Victoria.
Posh Solus sink mixer: Reece Plumbing
The open plan area has good cross ventilation and efficient ceiling fans. Kelly came up with the idea for the fabric panel-lined ceiling over the dining table. “I selected that fabric because it had every colour of my palette exactly,” she says.
Bunbury says, “We wanted to use pressed metal for the ceiling of the kitchen and the stair wall, but because of the ridiculous expense, we used a textured wallpaper in a pressed metal-like pattern, which we painted.” Kelly loves this subtle feature: “It had the effect of being old-fashioned and modern at the same time, which was exactly what we were looking for in the house.”
Bunbury says, “We wanted to use pressed metal for the ceiling of the kitchen and the stair wall, but because of the ridiculous expense, we used a textured wallpaper in a pressed metal-like pattern, which we painted.” Kelly loves this subtle feature: “It had the effect of being old-fashioned and modern at the same time, which was exactly what we were looking for in the house.”
Bunbury notes that Kelly is “a graphic designer with a passion for textures, patterns and colours”, and this influenced the textural warmth and interest of the house. Kelly’s love of zingy colours is evident in the daffodil yellow wall, which coordinates with the Spanish striped fabric ceiling. The dining table is tucked into an angled alcove under the stairs. All furniture was restored, vintage or made from recycled timber.
The living areas are warm and inviting, with a spacious window seat, textured natural fibre cushions and vintage-style furniture. More storage has been added in deep drawers under the seat. “Everyone used the daybed,” says Kelly, “especially the dog! It was a peaceful spot to sit and see the children in the garden while I took a tea break. The kids just loved it, too.”
Kelly and Johnny wanted to respect the house’s period character where possible and were delighted that the 100-year-old plaster cornices and ceiling rose, cast in situ, could be salvaged in the living area. Kelly says, “the original house was built by the manager of Dights Falls Mill – it had a grand feeling when you walked through the front door into the extra wide hallway. The lounge and front room had beautiful ornate mouldings and very large intricate ceiling roses and we loved the high ceilings.”
“Kelly found a huge chandelier that enhances the exceptional size of the ceiling rose,” says Bunbury. “The wallpaper on the feature wall really emphasises the period character.”
Washable wallpaper in ‘Dusa’: Osborne & Little
“Kelly found a huge chandelier that enhances the exceptional size of the ceiling rose,” says Bunbury. “The wallpaper on the feature wall really emphasises the period character.”
Washable wallpaper in ‘Dusa’: Osborne & Little
A vintage mirror over the raised fireplace reflects the intricate detailing on the restored cornices and ceiling rose. The wood-burning fireplace supplements ducted heating, which was already in place downstairs in the house.
Insulation was an important part of renovation, reducing the need for high-energy heating and cooling. Bunbury installed polystyrene slab edge insulation to the concrete slab and high performance rated polyester batts to the roof and walls. “The polyester batts are made from recycled plastic bottles and have a low irritant rating compared with mineral and glass wall insulation,” she says.
Insulation was an important part of renovation, reducing the need for high-energy heating and cooling. Bunbury installed polystyrene slab edge insulation to the concrete slab and high performance rated polyester batts to the roof and walls. “The polyester batts are made from recycled plastic bottles and have a low irritant rating compared with mineral and glass wall insulation,” she says.
Kelly’s penchant for dynamic colours transformed the bathroom adjoining the two downstairs children’s bedrooms. “The kids just loved their green bathroom,” says Kelly. The existing claw-foot bath, with its hint of Victoriana and brass lion paw feet, was re-enamelled and finished in bright, fruity green to match the bathroom walls. Basin taps were reused and vertical timber wainscoting and brass cupboard hardware add old-fashioned charm. Not seen is a restored chandelier. Large frosted glass windows allow lots of light into the room while maintaining privacy.
Alape Absolute AB2 semi-inset vanity: Reece Plumbing
Alape Absolute AB2 semi-inset vanity: Reece Plumbing
Extensive reconstruction of the second level of the house was a major part of the project. “The second level was terribly built, framed with rotten fence posts,” says Bunbury. It was reframed, insulated to the whole building envelope and sealed. Windows were replaced with double glazing.
The second level houses Kelly and Johnny’s bedroom, office and ensuite bathroom. The mood changes distinctly from the colourful energetic family areas downstairs to serene earthy colours and materials. The ensuite is simplicity itself, with clean lines in the large format wall tiles and panels in the shoji screens.
Caravelle 2000 Smartflush toilet suite: Caroma
Caravelle 2000 Smartflush toilet suite: Caroma
The exhaust fan has a self-sealing vent to prevent heat loss. A greywater diversion system was installed along with a 2,500 litre rainwater tank to reduce water usage.
Mizu bath and Dorf Bronte taps: Reece Plumbing; Liano inset basin: Caroma
Mizu bath and Dorf Bronte taps: Reece Plumbing; Liano inset basin: Caroma
The original upstairs bedroom was fully lined in Oregon boards, including the lofty ceiling. “It added a beautiful pattern and texture but looked a little like a sauna,” says Bunbury. Rather than remove the attractive knotty timber, she and Kelly decided to go with the timber look, with custom-made timber furniture and framed full-length bifold doors. Kelly comments, “we think the bedroom was once a hay loft! It’s very serene and we love how the little balcony off it overlooks the olive tree and the garden.” A study area is located in this peaceful part of the house.
The room changed from sauna-like to tranquil Japanese-style retreat with the addition of sliding shoji screens that close off the ensuite. The screens are framed in Tasmanian oak and panelled with a composite polyester rice paper, using a waterproof glue. “A really special room,” comments Bunbury.
“When the house was completed,” says Kelly, “it had a very welcoming energy, with original and modern features successfully merged.”
Shoji screens: The Japanese Shoji and Tatami Company, Mornington, Victoria
“When the house was completed,” says Kelly, “it had a very welcoming energy, with original and modern features successfully merged.”
Shoji screens: The Japanese Shoji and Tatami Company, Mornington, Victoria
Who lived here: Kelly Irish, a graphic designer, and her husband Johnny Cussen, an IT professional, with their two young children
Location: Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Victoria
Size: Site is 336 sqm, covered area is 120sqm; 3 bedrooms, main with ensuite and WIR, downstairs children’s bathroom, open-plan lounge/kitchen/dining, ground floor deck, roof deck.
Integral to the renovation of the 1860s single-fronted terrace was creating cohesion between the uncoordinated structures at the rear of the property and the main house. A dogleg annex running off at an angle to the house contained a series of rickety sheds, with garden storage, a precarious internal set of stairs leading to an existing first floor bedroom in the main house, and a laundry.
This photo shows the original rear section of the house, with the inconvenient angle of the shed annex and the door through which the owners had to access the stairs and the first floor bedroom.