This project is a rear renovation and extension to an 1920s double brick 'English Cottage' style house in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. The existing house had a number of separate, disconnected rooms - a formal living, a kitchen, a formal dining room and a sun room - and what the house needed was a central, open planned living/dining/kitchen space that would also maximise the north facing aspect and the view to the pool. There was also the requirement to add a downstairs bedroom and bathroom, and renovate the two upstairs bathrooms.

The response was to prop up the first floor, and insert a clean, modern extension with large north facing stacker sliding doors and high ceilings opening out to the pool and backyard. This area is entered via a corridor with dark timber lining which not only creates a contrast between new and old, but adds to the sense of drama in arriving into the new house. The extension also incorporated a new downstairs master bedroom, ensuite, walk in robe and an upstairs roof deck to take advantage of the city views to the west.