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Plan a Clever Extension That Blissfully Blends Old and New
As designers we are often forced to work with existing buildings. Find inspiration from these Victorian projects on how to do it right
There are many beliefs behind the ideal way to build a new extension onto an existing building, from vast contrast to mimicking the style of the original building. It is my belief that being sympathetic to the existing building and context is the best way to approach this issue. And to do this, you can play with materials, patterns, shapes, forms and scales as tools to achieve the final appearance.
Here are just a few projects that are sympathetic to their surroundings, make a statement in their own right and improve the functionality of the original building.
Here are just a few projects that are sympathetic to their surroundings, make a statement in their own right and improve the functionality of the original building.
Using the vernacular of both residential and secular design, Bagnato connects them using a neutral form that lights up in the evening, complementing the dominant forms without competing with either of them.
Pick a pattern
Draw on a craft of days gone by introducing brick patterns into your facades. This Melbourne house draws on the vernacular roof form of the existing residence and adds the detailed craft of the brickwork patterning to tie in without imitating.
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Draw on a craft of days gone by introducing brick patterns into your facades. This Melbourne house draws on the vernacular roof form of the existing residence and adds the detailed craft of the brickwork patterning to tie in without imitating.
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Gracefully aged
Using a material that will weather over time will help your extension blend to an older style. Here, architect Ben Statkus uses copper cladding in the Warrandyte Copper House, demonstrating that a new material can very soon look rustic and blend into its surrounds.
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Using a material that will weather over time will help your extension blend to an older style. Here, architect Ben Statkus uses copper cladding in the Warrandyte Copper House, demonstrating that a new material can very soon look rustic and blend into its surrounds.
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Quality counts
This extension in South Melbourne demonstrates the use of a high-quality material, zinc, to contrast with the existing building.
This extension in South Melbourne demonstrates the use of a high-quality material, zinc, to contrast with the existing building.
Not only is this zinc cladding high quality, it is also long-lasting and will weather well over time – it is a softer metal so it will take on its own character. This complements the existing building which is also high quality and durable.
Beauty in contrast
Architect Matt Gibson took the tact of contrasting with this existing residence in Kooyong, Victoria, both with style, form and materials. The form is recessive so it doesn’t take away from the elegance of the existing building.
Architect Matt Gibson took the tact of contrasting with this existing residence in Kooyong, Victoria, both with style, form and materials. The form is recessive so it doesn’t take away from the elegance of the existing building.
Gibson’s extension has a different sense of elegance. Softer, lighter and more generous than the rigid Victorian.
Odd couple
Take inspiration from form and reinterpret it. Architect Anthony Chan does this by complementing an existing brick residence in Abbotsford, Melbourne, with a brick extension using soft rounded corners, and then couples this with the double-storey, glass and metal form with rounded edges. They speak the same language, yet in a different way.
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Take inspiration from form and reinterpret it. Architect Anthony Chan does this by complementing an existing brick residence in Abbotsford, Melbourne, with a brick extension using soft rounded corners, and then couples this with the double-storey, glass and metal form with rounded edges. They speak the same language, yet in a different way.
See more of this home
Make good
This residence in Northcote, Melbourne, uses materials from the old house, adds a palette of weathered materials, including timber lining, and contrasts this with immaculate white walls. Drawing on what is already there for the extension helps with the blending.
TELL US
Do you have any suggestions on how to blend a new extension and an older residence? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Worker’s Cottage Gets a Modern Makeover
Open Sesame: 8 Rear Extensions That Bring the Outside In
Style UK: 10 Historic British Homes With Ultra-Modern Extensions
This residence in Northcote, Melbourne, uses materials from the old house, adds a palette of weathered materials, including timber lining, and contrasts this with immaculate white walls. Drawing on what is already there for the extension helps with the blending.
TELL US
Do you have any suggestions on how to blend a new extension and an older residence? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
Houzz Tour: A Traditional Worker’s Cottage Gets a Modern Makeover
Open Sesame: 8 Rear Extensions That Bring the Outside In
Style UK: 10 Historic British Homes With Ultra-Modern Extensions
Using a connection between new and old is a great way to blend. Here, the team at Bagnato Architects uses a different language to connect the old and new in this amazing residential church extension.