Can you put a Fernery between existing bedroom 2 and carport to get natural light in with a window?

love the photos, so it's a Fibro cottage with a Sandstone Facade, I'am wondering how much of it is Asbestos , fingers crossed. What is happening with the garage

asbestos is verandah and bay window, garage is going to make room for a bigger back yard and bringing the garage forward. Existing garage is rotting anyway.

Thanks for that, I don't know where the house is but will a single/tandem parking work better than a double garage? are you able to confirm the distance from both sides of the cottage to the boundary and what part of the neighbours house is on the boundary

My thinking on the garage/parking is a 3 bedroom house, 4 people, 4 cars?

From side of house to boundary is 4600 so unfortunately a double garage wouldn't fit. Proposed is a single garage, then space for another car open air in driveway. It is a family area, so I am guessing generally would be a two car requirement (ie Mum and Dad). On street parking is ample with no time restrictions, so I think two off street parks is ample given size of the block.

what direction is north, do you have any good or bad views out the back and could the old garage floor be included in an alfresco area with pergola?

North is to the front of house, I think it is indicated on the original plan posted, yes that is a great idea, and would sit to the side of kitchen so would work!

I would forgo walkin robe, and turn that bedroom into ensuite plus main bathroom. By halving it I mean. That way all bedrooms have access to a bathroom without going through living rooms.

I am worried that it may create two too small bathrooms, ie room is 3.6m wide less 150-200mm stud leaves 1200mm wide bathrooms, and would need a bath in one. I think that the target market given the area is either a wealthy downsizer (who would see a walkin robe as a must) or a family with 1-2 kids who need the storage. I think given the fireplace in the proposed master there is also not much suitable wall space for robes in the room (note room is 4 x 3.6m - reasonably small for master).

North was indicated on your posted map albeit a very simple one, and what's the distance from the house to the other boundary

only 1000mm on the other side

Does Council allow going to both boundaries, and what does the house to the boundary look like

I would like to see the carport brought forward to allow you to retain the current re vamped bay window, which would be lovely, but importantly to keep air flow and light into that room

Typically Council doesn't allow boundary to boundary but there is lots of precedence in the area including the direct neighbour. Its a flat block with no bad neighbourly aspects, all single storey and surrounded by high fencing. As beautiful as I think bay windows are I dont think it is work keeping, the windows are rotted through, the base is asbestos and roof over bay leaks, it looks like a dodgy add on. Also not sure keeping it if aspect isnt worthy of it, ie will be looking into a carport. Carport cant be any further forward as has to be set back minimum 1000mm from front facade, could be brought forward about 500mm on current plans which wouldn't achieve much.

Have you considered making the extension run down into the back yard rather than across the block.

Not really, as wanted to preserve some grass area (family area)...also as the left hand neighbour is on the boundary and given north realistically if were going to build down block would build to the left where existing shed is?

50cm extra length in the carport might mean the difference between being able to stand under cover when you load the boot and/or have easy walking space around the front of a car and/or out of sight space for your bins so strongly suggest you use all available space for the carport but what do you plan for wall cladding?? both for replacing old asbestos and new walls

Totally agree...not adding the 50cm was to give it to the open air car space which currently is 5250, our second car is 4500mm long so not much at front and back of car otherwise second car too tight...I really like your idea in drawing above of taking 2m out of either cellar/ensuite to be used as storage/bins etc.

choice of wall cladding can also make extra space..single well insulated wall clad with smooth modern "fibro" sheeting could add about 10cm to the inside rooms compared to standard brick veneer although the wall on the boundary would probably have to be solid

Carport side wall is going to be open ie posts only (council regulation) and then haven't decided for the other wall or front wall.

open carport is better but i meant walls for the whole house making extra space inside the house

Ahh sorry, existing brick walls in the front four rooms will remain, boundary walls will be block work and internal walls just gyprocked timber studs so max 100mm

So its a brick cottage with a sandstone facade?

Yep!

Thought the photos showed a brick side, not asbestos. A wonderful home.

I would suggest a few things.

1. decide if it's for you or to sell now. This will impact the budget, which will impact every single decision that you make. Going down the road of maybe we will sell, or maybe we will keep is a recipe for disaster.

2. seriously reconsider rotating the orientation of your plan. Currently you have poor cross ventilation and poor natural light

3. seriously consider finding a good architect or building designer, especially if this is a home for yourselves.

having said all of that, here's a sketch :-)

you can see from the photos that the walls are brick just the bay window is Fibro/Asbestos and the Facade is clad with Sandstone, I agree that the aspect needs more consideration and any extension should be to the rear or the other 1 metre boundary, not behind the carport.

sorry Paper courtyard we crossed over, but think you sketch is spot on except for the positioning of the cellar, we need 3 bedrooms, the extension to the rear side could include a Master suite. a very rough idea I have been playing with

thanks papercourtyard! I think the primary objective is to sell, if at the end of it we can make a decent profit so budget is key, albeit it is in a pricey area so not too cheap and cheerful. I like the creativity of the plan! My only comments again is I am worried it will create a dark courtyard with the sun setting to the rear of proposed kitchen/living/dining, a large amount of sqm to driveway and garage on a 400sqm block, and I think the likely buyer is a downsizer who may not like the stairs, I definitely think reworking has its benefits to find a more suitable use of space!

Have you considered repurposing the garage for your wine cellar, you could reduce the size of the garage either from the front or the side so that 50% is covered and the other 50% is open but still under the same roof, by not building out beside or behind the new carport you will gain a lot of open space.

thinking about your comment about selling for profit and siriuskeys' suggestion for building into the backyard i'm wondering about an Lshape extension that more easily adds a new master suite, a good sized family room without views of the lounge from the front door, family bathroom with a separate powder room off the central hall and uses the front bedroom for a lounge or bed 4 without building on the eastern boundary: this idea is about 7sqm bigger than the original plan but could be more attractive to a broader range of buyers and, with side access into the backyard, the mower and tools can be kept in the storage area in the carport

Its such a nice house. I do think that what papercourtyard suggested is a much better option. The criss crossing courtyard will be excellent.
It will more than double the feel of the space.
That garage can be put to the front where your carport suggestion is. Just stop where the bathroom is.

Alison Nobles comment from Wednesday and papercourtyard give a wonderful alternative. With the bedroom being above the garage this would give parent or guest accommodation.
Which could be suitable for downsizers, adult children. The front bedrooms could be for the owners.

I think that solution is better is because

• 13m frontage usually meant you can butt up to one side at one time but not both full length. At least not at the same time. Council will fight you, with or without existing precedent.

but

• Im also not a big fan of garage at the rear. I got one myself

so I think that garage structure best converted to cabana with glass doors all around for a pavillion.

Now you have an expansive glass

• looking North
• butt up behind to side boundary completely blocking West
• looking at the rear of your 'heritage cottage' which you can re dress
• with a garage-converted cabana as entertainment area

if I am a buyer, the only thing I will add is a small pool between all those

a little sketch.

3DA the garage is being converted to a wine cellar, or so I suggested, polished concrete floor dark walls, bar style table and chairs to enjoy the experience and ofcourse a good bar and food fridge

Garage is perfect as wine cellar.
Better still make it full fledge with barrels as partition walls and wine testing alfresco and a pool table

The following is what I thought would make an amazing extension, Okloiuse's interpretation was close, thank you OKL. You mention being in an up market area so that needs something to appeal to all ages which means all on one level, KISS

You have everything you asked for with an amazing master, The Garage might need to go though as I don't see that as being a great out look, but who knows with adjustments Like reducing width and planting, it could then become a great pool house.

Looks great! love the concept, plenty of ideas to work with!

could suggest that you make the extension a separate building connecting via glass or other enclosed walk ways ie: one extending from the passage into the family and another between the kitchen and pantry they only have to be deep enough to stop the gutter from the original house touching the new house which could have amazing sloping roofs and high ceilings. I also notice that I haven't marked a laundry, that shouldn't be too difficult. You could consider extending the carport along the boundary which could include a laundry, WC within a pool house for the NEW Pool. Many ideas as many ways to do things cheers PS: do you want to share where the house is, must be one of the wine country areas in , guessing SA,VIC,Hunter Valley

Or adding to my thought from before, how about a long walkway/ corridor on the western/ carport side with a new pavillion at the rear of the block for living kitchen etc looking into a NE facing courtyard.

Hi Alison I thought the carport was on the eastern carport side, pavillions of all kinds are available to chose from for this extension and agree that it would be a good choice, just depends on what suits the individual

Carport is east. It’s inner city Adelaide!

To give an Idea of the market this house (sandstone villa) on similar land just sold for $2m

Your house reminded me of Adelaide stone houses which are beautiful coming from an original SA native. That's an expensive house, we once owned a house belonging to the famous beer making family. You are getting lots of ideas to take to the local Architect of your choice, it is worth it to get one involved

Sorry You are right, got the direction wrong. But flip the thought to the other side and still create a NE facing garden.

Inspiration

Just comments: the plan that sold: a three bed house with a cupboard for a laundry and HUGE bathroom?!? Picture above here with lovely stone cottage and horrid modern THING stuck on top..... Just my thoughts...

Best to keep plans off one or both boundaries, fiddle bathrooms into bedroom and laundry, bedroom added to east side, extend living down east side somehow to allow for light air and westerly garden with long eaves, lots of cross vent and deciduous trees for shade & summer comfort. Can all be done.

Have fun!

Margot