Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Sympathetic Extension Helps a Family See the Light
This addition added contemporary living space for a young family, in harmony with the character of the original home
After living in the original home for a few years, an extension and renovation was definitely on the cards for this couple and their two active young sons. Although picturesque from the street, inside, the weatherboard home suffered from a poorly planned extension – and three bedrooms for a soon-to-be family of five wasn’t going to cut it for much longer. Luke Stanley Architects, whose other projects the family had seen and liked, took charge of designing a contemporary extension to complement the existing single-storey house.
“The two-storey addition was designed to maximise access to natural light and reorientate living areas towards the yard,” says architect Luke Stanley. “The clients wanted a contemporary home that would adapt to their growing family and enhance the character of the original house.”
“The two-storey addition was designed to maximise access to natural light and reorientate living areas towards the yard,” says architect Luke Stanley. “The clients wanted a contemporary home that would adapt to their growing family and enhance the character of the original house.”
Although the owners were seeking a refined and contemporary extension, they also wanted the design to be sympathetic to the craftsmanship and timber features of the original home. “There was a particular emphasis on natural light, given the extension was to be located on the south side of the block,” Stanley says.
The ground-floor extension has full-height double-glazed sliding doors to maximise light and ventilation.
The ground-floor extension has full-height double-glazed sliding doors to maximise light and ventilation.
The clients were active throughout all stages of the design and construction process, working closely with both the architect and interior designer.
Before the renovation and extension the house had street appeal, but the interiors were dated and dark.
The first step was to demolish a poorly planned extension from the 1980s at the rear of the original home.
The old extension was replaced at ground level with an open-plan kitchen/dining/family area plus laundry, pantry and basement below.
“Externally, the new addition is defined by a timber-clad element that wraps down to meet the original terracotta roof,” Stanley says. Details such as shiplapped timber cladding and casement windows provide a contemporary reinterpretation of the original home’s character.
“Inside, the sloping roof form is reflected in the two-storey dining space, which provides a dramatic shift in volume from the original home,” Stanley says.
The addition was designed to provide passive-solar gain and cross-ventilation, with retractable awnings fitted to the east-facing glass doors to control the summer sun. Materials such as timber-framed double-glazed windows, sustainably sourced timber cladding and high-performance insulation were selected for their green credentials and to reduce heating and cooling requirements.
The master bedroom remained in place in the original home, but the other two existing bedrooms were turned into a study and play space.
On the first floor are the children’s bedrooms and an open play area at the top of the stairs.
The dining room marks the beginning of the extension, with a feature wall wrapping around the fireplace. The chimney breast is tiled in Inax Gamon ceramic tiles from Artedomus.
Tolomeo Mega Parete dining pendant light: Artemide; dining table and chairs: Jardan Furniture
Tolomeo Mega Parete dining pendant light: Artemide; dining table and chairs: Jardan Furniture
“The wrapping form of the first floor roof allowed for a double-height dining space with north-facing skylights,” Stanley says. Details such as ironbark strip flooring and timber casement windows tie in with the original areas of the home.
Electric openable skylights: Velux
Electric openable skylights: Velux
The kitchen has a fresh look and feel, thanks largely to the green splashback tiles and combination of warm grey Laminex and oak veneer joinery.
Inax Vaisselle splashback tiles: Artedomus; Jaipur Thyme island benchtop: Stone Italiana; appliances: Miele; bar stools: Jardan Furniture
Inax Vaisselle splashback tiles: Artedomus; Jaipur Thyme island benchtop: Stone Italiana; appliances: Miele; bar stools: Jardan Furniture
Asked what his favourite features are of the finished project, Stanley says: “The stackable timber sliding doors blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces…
“… and the double-height dining space with suspended Tolomeo light and handmade Inax feature tiles.”
A sliding green door opens to the playroom (formerly a bedroom), allowing the kids to have their own play space without it being disconnected from the rest of the house.
A sliding green door opens to the playroom (formerly a bedroom), allowing the kids to have their own play space without it being disconnected from the rest of the house.
Oak veneer turns the balcony at the top of the stairs into a feature, and unites the upstairs and downstairs spaces.
“The clients enjoy the open-door connection between the kitchen-living area and the deck,” Stanley says.
Family room sofas and coffee table: Jardan Furniture; side tables: Grazia & Co Furniture
Family room sofas and coffee table: Jardan Furniture; side tables: Grazia & Co Furniture
A new connection to the original covered outdoor eating and barbecue area encourages alfresco dining with family and friends.
Cypress pine shiplapped cladding and decking: Frencham Cypress
Cypress pine shiplapped cladding and decking: Frencham Cypress
The colour green reappears in the children’s bathroom, in a toned-down fashion, while large mirrored cabinets amplify the natural light.
Inax Yohen Border feature tiles: Artedomus
Inax Yohen Border feature tiles: Artedomus
“Upstairs we added a bathroom and three kids’ bedrooms, plus a balcony area that doubles as play space,” Stanley says.
The children’s bedrooms and internal balcony at the top of the stairs feature wool loop pile carpeting from EC Group.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Professional couple Tom and Naomi, their three young boys, and their fluffy white dog
Location: Eaglemont, Victoria
Size: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect: Luke Stanley Architects
Interiors: Kerry Smith Interior Design
Builder: Harvest Building Co.