9 Ultra-Contemporary Extensions That Stand Out and Proud
These modern additions contrast unapologetically with their original homes, with truly impressive results
Joanna Tovia
6 October 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
City living comes with limitations, the most obvious of which is lack of space. Adding on to the rear of a home with a one- or two-storey extension is often the best course of action, but should you aim for the extension to fit in seamlessly and look like it’s always been there, or let it stand out for the modern marvel that it is? Although these additions stand out from the traditional homes they belong to, they are positively life-enhancing for the families residing within their walls.
1. Let there be light
What started out as a modest 1920s California bungalow in Sydney’s Kensington is now a light-filled family home, with a towering extension visible from the street.
What started out as a modest 1920s California bungalow in Sydney’s Kensington is now a light-filled family home, with a towering extension visible from the street.
CplusC Architectural Workshop worked within the existing footprint to transform the home. Cypress pine batten screens soften the rear facade.
A versatile social area with an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space now opens up to a new outdoor entertaining area.
Browse more kitchen photos
Browse more kitchen photos
2. Cottage cute … or is it?
This Melbourne home has maintained its traditional good looks from the street, but Quadrant Design Architects added a second storey and extended the rear to make the home fit for modern living.
This Melbourne home has maintained its traditional good looks from the street, but Quadrant Design Architects added a second storey and extended the rear to make the home fit for modern living.
It’s no longer cottage cute from the rear of the house, but is no less appealing.
A two-storey void separates the old and new sections of the house, and makes the living areas feel vastly more spacious.
3. Compare and contrast
When your block is wide rather than deep, any additions you make to the house will be visible from the street. The architects of this modern addition made no apologies when designing a contemporary addition to sit alongside a traditional Brisbane home. And why should they?
When your block is wide rather than deep, any additions you make to the house will be visible from the street. The architects of this modern addition made no apologies when designing a contemporary addition to sit alongside a traditional Brisbane home. And why should they?
Timber features tie in the interiors of the new addition with its timber-clad exterior, adding warmth in the process.
4. Black and white
The architects had to think outside the square to come up with a solution for this heritage-restricted corner site in Mebourne’s Elsternwick. The goal was to create extra space to accommodate the family; the architects decided to clad the two-storey addition in a contrasting dark zinc to draw a very deliberate line between new and old.
38 abodes embracing the dark side
The architects had to think outside the square to come up with a solution for this heritage-restricted corner site in Mebourne’s Elsternwick. The goal was to create extra space to accommodate the family; the architects decided to clad the two-storey addition in a contrasting dark zinc to draw a very deliberate line between new and old.
38 abodes embracing the dark side
Despite the dramatic contrast between old and new, there are thoughtful references to the original. The roofline, in particular, mirrors that of the existing cottage.
The roofline becomes a feature in one of the children’s rooms in the new addition, and brings light into the space without compromising privacy.
Downstairs, a new kitchen/dining/ living area opens out to a timber deck and garden through full-height sliding glass doors.
5. Little miracle
Terrace houses can be notoriously short on space, and their narrow constraints make it extra tricky to create enough room to move. This beauty in Sydney’s Paddington retains its 19th century charm from the front, but a space-efficient addition to the rear gives a growing family some much-needed space to spread out.
Terrace houses can be notoriously short on space, and their narrow constraints make it extra tricky to create enough room to move. This beauty in Sydney’s Paddington retains its 19th century charm from the front, but a space-efficient addition to the rear gives a growing family some much-needed space to spread out.
Michelle Walker Architects restored the original facade and front rooms of the terrace, adding a two-storey rear addition and new studio over the garage off the back lane.
Light-filled living spaces now open to a courtyard and rear yard, and to the new studio.
The new butterfly roof to the house and studio (pictured) captures eastern and northern sunlight, and frames views of the sky and surrounding trees.
6. A terrace transformed
Similar constraints impacted this small Victorian terrace in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy. The challenge for Nic Owen Architects was to design a larger house with a bright and airy feel to cater for a growing family. Tight planning, heritage controls and a challenging orientation further complicated matters.
Similar constraints impacted this small Victorian terrace in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy. The challenge for Nic Owen Architects was to design a larger house with a bright and airy feel to cater for a growing family. Tight planning, heritage controls and a challenging orientation further complicated matters.
Despite its modern lines, the extension offers a sympathetic response to this historic inner-city abode, with the architects aiming to create an addition that was recessive, respectful and complementary to the setting.
Extensions that blend old and new
Extensions that blend old and new
Inside, an abundance of glass lets in plenty of light, and large skylights add to the sense of space in the home, despite its narrow confines.
7. Inside out
This Sydney bungalow doesn’t stand out from its neighbours from the front.
This Sydney bungalow doesn’t stand out from its neighbours from the front.
But who knew an addition like this was hiding at the rear?
Or that the rear of the house used to look like this!
The rear of the house was demolished to make way for the new addition. The renovation has transformed the home, with light-filled living areas now well connected to the outdoors. Bricks were recycled from the demolition phase and reused for the covered outdoor dining area.
8. The Claw
An average suburban house in Melbourne is far from ordinary now that its innovative extension has taken shape. Architect Nic Owen suggested removing a dated rear extension and replacing it with a kitchen/living area and outdoor room that reaches up to the rear garden. An additional dining room is located in the original section of the house, adjacent to the kitchen.
An average suburban house in Melbourne is far from ordinary now that its innovative extension has taken shape. Architect Nic Owen suggested removing a dated rear extension and replacing it with a kitchen/living area and outdoor room that reaches up to the rear garden. An additional dining room is located in the original section of the house, adjacent to the kitchen.
The biggest challenge with this project was the slope of the land – it rises 5.5 metres from front to rear. The home isn’t much bigger post-renovation, but it does connect better with the outdoors.
9. Pretty clever
Sketch Building Design architects had their work cut out for them when the owners of this tiny one-bedroom house in Melbourne’s Elsternwick asked them to create a contemporary home big enough for two adults and two children to live in, in comfort.
Sketch Building Design architects had their work cut out for them when the owners of this tiny one-bedroom house in Melbourne’s Elsternwick asked them to create a contemporary home big enough for two adults and two children to live in, in comfort.
The once-dark and cold interior is now light and bright, with the addition of a second storey.
An open design and an abundance of light make the kitchen/living/dining area feel expansive.
Opting for a dining table instead of an island bench in the kitchen created more space for the living area and outdoor courtyard.
The built-in barbecue has a coloured-tile splashback to visually connect the indoor and outdoor areas.
YOUR SAY
Which of these extensions do you like best? Share your favourite in the Comments.
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Browse more contemporary houses
YOUR SAY
Which of these extensions do you like best? Share your favourite in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more contemporary houses
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Luigi Rosselli Architects - Loggia in Arcadia
The front of the house:
The rear: