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More Space & Functionality for a Family's Tricky 150-sqm Bungalow
A renovation in two stages gave a small NZ bungalow on a triangular site the extra space, light and flow a family needed
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation, redesign or new build each week. Here, Amy Hendry, architect and director at Four Walls Architecture, reveals how she introduced light, storage and more usable space to an inner-city bungalow on an awkward triangular site in Auckland, New Zealand.
Floor plan before works.
What was the house like originally?
A traditional weatherboard bungalow built in the 1930s.
What state was it in?
Liveable enough, but in need of some love.
Is your home crying out for more space? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss your options
What was the house like originally?
A traditional weatherboard bungalow built in the 1930s.
What state was it in?
Liveable enough, but in need of some love.
Is your home crying out for more space? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss your options
Floor plan after works.
What wasn’t working for the client?
The house was badly planned and closed off from the spacious rear yard. There was little outdoor living space, and the interior was drab and quite dark.
What wasn’t working for the client?
The house was badly planned and closed off from the spacious rear yard. There was little outdoor living space, and the interior was drab and quite dark.
What was your brief?
The owners have a growing family and needed more space and better functionality.
Their wish list included four bedrooms, two living areas, and the addition of a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite in the main bedroom.
Because they love to entertain, they also wanted to create a light and airy open-plan living/dining space.
More storage was also a must, as was an overall refurbishment of the original bungalow.
The owners have a growing family and needed more space and better functionality.
Their wish list included four bedrooms, two living areas, and the addition of a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite in the main bedroom.
Because they love to entertain, they also wanted to create a light and airy open-plan living/dining space.
More storage was also a must, as was an overall refurbishment of the original bungalow.
What was your scope of work?
The design and documentation of the entire renovation. The project was divided into two stages – renovating the old bungalow, then extending it to create a new open-plan kitchen/dining/living area at the rear.
We also specified all the finishes and designed and specified bathroom and kitchen cabinetry.
Browse more images on Houzz of beautiful dining rooms with white touches
The design and documentation of the entire renovation. The project was divided into two stages – renovating the old bungalow, then extending it to create a new open-plan kitchen/dining/living area at the rear.
We also specified all the finishes and designed and specified bathroom and kitchen cabinetry.
Browse more images on Houzz of beautiful dining rooms with white touches
Where did you focus your attention and budget?
There was more work required to refurbish the bungalow than expected, including some re-piling [replacing or repairing a home’s defective foundations or piles], a new roof structure and exterior shingles. This meant that stage two (the rear extension) was put off for a couple of years.
But the result is a beautifully restored bungalow and a sophisticated, contemporary extension, which satisfied the client’s brief perfectly.
There was more work required to refurbish the bungalow than expected, including some re-piling [replacing or repairing a home’s defective foundations or piles], a new roof structure and exterior shingles. This meant that stage two (the rear extension) was put off for a couple of years.
But the result is a beautifully restored bungalow and a sophisticated, contemporary extension, which satisfied the client’s brief perfectly.
How big is the new extension?
The house only grew by about 40 square metres because we removed an old lean-to extension and deck built in the 1990s, and used the space for the new open-plan kitchen/dining/living area with butler’s pantry. The extension is around 50 square metres and the original bungalow is 140 square metres.
Why does this redesign work so well?
Clerestory light shafts (or lightwells) bring in eastern light and a side deck captures the last of the sun. While compact, the kitchen/living/dining space is perfect for inner-city family living.
The house only grew by about 40 square metres because we removed an old lean-to extension and deck built in the 1990s, and used the space for the new open-plan kitchen/dining/living area with butler’s pantry. The extension is around 50 square metres and the original bungalow is 140 square metres.
Why does this redesign work so well?
Clerestory light shafts (or lightwells) bring in eastern light and a side deck captures the last of the sun. While compact, the kitchen/living/dining space is perfect for inner-city family living.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A respectful refurbishment of the bungalow, using traditional features, but contemporary colours and finishes. We wanted to design a light and contemporary volume for the extension with clean, simple materials.
Tell us about the outdoor room
The outdoor room faces the street, so privacy was a must. The client wanted shade, so louvres were used to ensure the roof could be closed on hot days and opened up in winter.
A respectful refurbishment of the bungalow, using traditional features, but contemporary colours and finishes. We wanted to design a light and contemporary volume for the extension with clean, simple materials.
Tell us about the outdoor room
The outdoor room faces the street, so privacy was a must. The client wanted shade, so louvres were used to ensure the roof could be closed on hot days and opened up in winter.
What challenges did you work around?
A triangular site with north in the wrong direction: the extension faces south, so bringing light in was essential. We did this by including large-scale sliding doors and two large lightwells that kick up from the roof of the extension to bring in eastern light and enhance the sense of volume in the space.
A triangular site with north in the wrong direction: the extension faces south, so bringing light in was essential. We did this by including large-scale sliding doors and two large lightwells that kick up from the roof of the extension to bring in eastern light and enhance the sense of volume in the space.
What are the defining features of the house now?
- A beautifully restored bungalow.
- A clean, classic colour palette.
- A contemporary extension with sharp, geometric elements.
- Two clerestory-style lightwells in the new roof.
- Polished concrete floors in the extension that contrast beautifully with the bungalow’s refurbished timber floors.
Why does it work so well?
The planning is clean, functional and intuitive, and the juxtaposition of old and new is effortless. It’s lovely to have the best of both worlds – a restored, classic bungalow with modern, airy living and family areas.
Paint colours
The planning is clean, functional and intuitive, and the juxtaposition of old and new is effortless. It’s lovely to have the best of both worlds – a restored, classic bungalow with modern, airy living and family areas.
Paint colours
- Resene Silver Chalice on the exterior.
- Resene Alabaster in the new extension.
- Resene Merino and Periglacial Blue in the bungalow.
Materials and finishes
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with this thoughtful extension? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another clever extension to a small home? Check out this Before & After: Smart Space-Maximising Moves for a 58-sqm Terrace
- Timber weatherboards.
- Vitex (New Guinea teak) decking.
- Grey Friars corrugated steel on the bungalow roof with Grey Friars flashing on the new extension for cohesion.
- Corian Venaro White benchtops in the kitchen.
- American oak kitchen joinery.
- Polished concrete floors in the extension.
- Refurbished hardwood floors in the bungalow.
- Vergola louvres.
- Athena Bathrooms Mico Contro corner bath.
Your turn
Are you as impressed as we are with this thoughtful extension? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see another clever extension to a small home? Check out this Before & After: Smart Space-Maximising Moves for a 58-sqm Terrace
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Grey Lynn, NZ
House size before works: 150 square metres
House size after works: 190 square metres
Bedrooms and bathrooms before works: Three bedrooms, one bathroom
Bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Budget: Around NZ$1.5 million
Architecture and interior design: Four Walls Architecture