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A Heritage-Home Reno That Proves Less Can Be So Much More
By focusing on the things that matter, such as light and zoning, this architect has created her dream family home
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or extension each week. Here, Rebecca Ryan, principal at Rebecca Ryan Architect, shares the journey of extending her four-bedroom, one-bathroom heritage home so that it gave the family all the space, light and cosiness they craved.
Gained: A new kitchen, dining room, living room, playroom, laundry and outdoor entertaining area.
What was the house like originally?
A single-storey 1920s villa with four bedrooms and one bathroom.
A single-storey 1920s villa with four bedrooms and one bathroom.
The floor plan with the new addition
What did you set out to achieve?
What did you set out to achieve?
- A well-considered and thoughtful design that was both functional and beautiful.
- Warm spaces with plenty of natural light.
- To re-use the existing lean-to as much as possible without compromising the final design.
- A timeless look and feel.
What were your must haves?
Love batten detailing as much as we do? In this article we look at what, how and where you can use it in your home
- Light-filled spaces
- Indoor-outdoor connection
- The indoor/outdoor bench seat was my husband’s must-have
Love batten detailing as much as we do? In this article we look at what, how and where you can use it in your home
What problems did this project address?
A lack of living space, a tired and dated kitchen and laundry, and poor access from the living space to the playroom.
It also addressed the lack of connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, and lack of sun shade and rain protection to the windows.
A lack of living space, a tired and dated kitchen and laundry, and poor access from the living space to the playroom.
It also addressed the lack of connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, and lack of sun shade and rain protection to the windows.
How does the new work address these issues?
The space is far more integrated, allowing the family to spend more time together and entertain easily. The room allows the winter sun to warm the space during the day; and the 1200-millimetre-wide window overhang keeps the heat at bay in summer (and reduces energy costs).
The large glass windows allow views of the sky, sunset and bats that fly over the house at night. The indoor-outdoor connection makes us feel connected to the outside whatever the weather.
The space is far more integrated, allowing the family to spend more time together and entertain easily. The room allows the winter sun to warm the space during the day; and the 1200-millimetre-wide window overhang keeps the heat at bay in summer (and reduces energy costs).
The large glass windows allow views of the sky, sunset and bats that fly over the house at night. The indoor-outdoor connection makes us feel connected to the outside whatever the weather.
What exactly did you do?
- Extended the existing lean-to and converted it into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room.
- Added a new laundry.
- Put in a new playroom.
- Introduced a new outdoor entertaining area with a timber pergola and fire pit.
Where did most of the budget go?
The joinery, European oak flooring, commercial-framed windows, and marble finishes.
How does the new addition sit beside the original home?
The addition is contemporary in style and contrasts with the existing character house. We’ve deliberately made it different in order to acknowledge the past and celebrate the new.
There is consistency between the two areas in scale and height, and also with material choices, such as the oak flooring.
Like a touch of marble in the kitchen? Learn about your options here
The joinery, European oak flooring, commercial-framed windows, and marble finishes.
How does the new addition sit beside the original home?
The addition is contemporary in style and contrasts with the existing character house. We’ve deliberately made it different in order to acknowledge the past and celebrate the new.
There is consistency between the two areas in scale and height, and also with material choices, such as the oak flooring.
Like a touch of marble in the kitchen? Learn about your options here
What challenges did you have to work around?
We lived in the house while it was being renovated and I worked from home, so I was in my studio working while the renovation was happening around me. In the end, this was actually a bonus as I was always on site to answer questions and decisions that needed to be made.
We lived in the house while it was being renovated and I worked from home, so I was in my studio working while the renovation was happening around me. In the end, this was actually a bonus as I was always on site to answer questions and decisions that needed to be made.
Shown here, the battened wall in the dining area conceals a door that leads to the new laundry
Can you tell us about the materials and colours you’ve chosen?
The herringbone oak flooring adds warmth and interest to the space and has been used throughout.
We chose to give each of the ceilings in the open-plan room a different look in order to create a sense of having individual zones.
Externally, we chose a classic yet contemporary colour mix of white, charcoal and timber.
Can you tell us about the materials and colours you’ve chosen?
The herringbone oak flooring adds warmth and interest to the space and has been used throughout.
We chose to give each of the ceilings in the open-plan room a different look in order to create a sense of having individual zones.
Externally, we chose a classic yet contemporary colour mix of white, charcoal and timber.
Why do you think this extension works so well?
It draws the outside in so effectively, which brings with it a sense of calm. Just walking into the space makes you feel good because it is light, bright and comfortable – even on an overcast day.
The material palette also plays a large part in making the space feel homely.
The plan is open and flexible, but spaces are defined via the ceiling cladding and colours rather than with walls.
Are there any underlying beliefs you wish to highlight?
Additions don’t need to be grand in scale or budget to achieve a functional yet beautiful space. Light is the key element to any design, whether it be an abundance of light or a deliberate lack of light. in this case it was an abundance of light.
Materiality is also crucial to the character of a room. Good storage is key; having a place for everything allows you to keep spaces functional and clutter-free. “All you need is less” is an awesome quote I saw online recently.
It draws the outside in so effectively, which brings with it a sense of calm. Just walking into the space makes you feel good because it is light, bright and comfortable – even on an overcast day.
The material palette also plays a large part in making the space feel homely.
The plan is open and flexible, but spaces are defined via the ceiling cladding and colours rather than with walls.
Are there any underlying beliefs you wish to highlight?
Additions don’t need to be grand in scale or budget to achieve a functional yet beautiful space. Light is the key element to any design, whether it be an abundance of light or a deliberate lack of light. in this case it was an abundance of light.
Materiality is also crucial to the character of a room. Good storage is key; having a place for everything allows you to keep spaces functional and clutter-free. “All you need is less” is an awesome quote I saw online recently.
Key features
Do you have an arch similar to this one in your home? Learn what you can do with it here
- Full-height, north-facing, double-glazed windows that capture the light, garden views and winter sun.
- Indoor/outdoor bench seat for relaxing and reading the paper on weekends.
- Fully retractable doors from the kitchen to the outdoor entertaining area, creating one huge open space.
- A hidden door within a battened wall that leads to the new laundry
- A feature battened ceiling over the dining area.
Do you have an arch similar to this one in your home? Learn what you can do with it here
Interior materials palette
Tell us
Do you love what the architect has done here as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to read about another clever reno and extension? Don’t miss: Project of the Week: A Family-Friendly Extension to a Period Home
- Solid, herringbone-pattern, European oak flooring
- Calacatta marble kitchen benchtop and splashback
- Two-pack kitchen joinery painted in Dulux Domino and Resene Quarter Surrender
- White American oak joinery in living area
- Rockote Skimcote rendered wall in living area
- External wall in James Hardie Scyon Axon cladding painted in Dulux Domino
- Bagged walling painted Solver Paints Parchment
- Outdoor bench seat in white American oak.
Tell us
Do you love what the architect has done here as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to read about another clever reno and extension? Don’t miss: Project of the Week: A Family-Friendly Extension to a Period Home
Answers by Rebecca Ryan, principal at Rebecca Ryan Architect
Who lives here: A couple and their six-year-old child
Location: Parkside, South Australia
Original size: 226 square metres
Size after extension: 245 square metres plus a 35-square-metre outdoor entertaining area
Architect/owner: Rebecca Ryan Architect
Builder: BTF Constructions