Project Of The Week
A Large Family Home Where Imaginations Run Free
A pod, a hidey-hole, indoor-outdoor zones... creative touches and a new extension give this Victorian-era home its magic
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or extension each week. Here, architect Clinton Cole, founder and managing director of CplusC Architectural Workshop, talks us through the extension of this semi-detached, five-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom Victorian property, and its transformation into a five-bedroom, three-bathroom family home with an enviable indoor-outdoor connection… and plenty of fun touches.
What was the house like originally?
A late-Victorian, semi‐detached, two-level home with five bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
A late-Victorian, semi‐detached, two-level home with five bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
What was the clients’ brief?
To extend their existing house to better accommodate their growing family.
An Ingenious House in Two Halves
To extend their existing house to better accommodate their growing family.
An Ingenious House in Two Halves
What were the clients’ must-haves?
Functional and practical spaces that could accommodate all six family members.
Functional and practical spaces that could accommodate all six family members.
What did you do?
To work within the client’s budget, the existing house was largely retained, while the rear lean-to was demolished to create a new open-plan kitchen and dining space. We also added a pod containing a new bathroom and laundry, and a new deck.
The existing two bedrooms on the ground floor were transformed into an office and a rumpus room. The original attic space was reworked to accommodate two new bedrooms and a bathroom.
To work within the client’s budget, the existing house was largely retained, while the rear lean-to was demolished to create a new open-plan kitchen and dining space. We also added a pod containing a new bathroom and laundry, and a new deck.
The existing two bedrooms on the ground floor were transformed into an office and a rumpus room. The original attic space was reworked to accommodate two new bedrooms and a bathroom.
How long did the build take?
Around 32 weeks.
Around 32 weeks.
What constraints did this project address?
The design brief required that the home better accommodate the clients’ expanding young family, but with a limited footprint it was important to optimise the functionality of every square millimetre.
The design brief required that the home better accommodate the clients’ expanding young family, but with a limited footprint it was important to optimise the functionality of every square millimetre.
What challenges did you have to work around?
A limited budget to accommodate the needs of a large family.
A limited budget to accommodate the needs of a large family.
Can you tell us about the bathroom-laundry pod?
The egg-shaped bathroom and laundry pod is a feature at the rear of the home that allows the internal living space to extend outdoors. When the sliding doors and retractable flyscreens are fully opened, they disappear completely from view inside the pod. This helps create the sense of being in a covered outdoor living room when you are outside.
Also, our goal was for everyday tasks, such as laundry, to be celebrated rather than banished to a hidden space inside the home – an approach to everyday tasks that was taken throughout this project.
The egg-shaped bathroom and laundry pod is a feature at the rear of the home that allows the internal living space to extend outdoors. When the sliding doors and retractable flyscreens are fully opened, they disappear completely from view inside the pod. This helps create the sense of being in a covered outdoor living room when you are outside.
Also, our goal was for everyday tasks, such as laundry, to be celebrated rather than banished to a hidden space inside the home – an approach to everyday tasks that was taken throughout this project.
And the study nook?
Secondary spaces often get overlooked, but we sought to investigate them thoroughly here to see what value they could bring to the occupants.
We converted the under-stair space between the ground and first floors, along the common circulation space, into a retreat or study nook. The western red cedar-lined nook with concealed LED lighting became a place to sit, relax or escape (for kids and adults alike).
Secondary spaces often get overlooked, but we sought to investigate them thoroughly here to see what value they could bring to the occupants.
We converted the under-stair space between the ground and first floors, along the common circulation space, into a retreat or study nook. The western red cedar-lined nook with concealed LED lighting became a place to sit, relax or escape (for kids and adults alike).
The terraced area looks interesting too – tell us more
The green terraced area runs along the entire length of the home. We were aiming to evoke a feeling of curiosity and adventure for those who walk through it – particularly the children. For people looking out to it, we sought to provide a green oasis, encouraging users to pause for a moment and enjoy the relaxing view.
See more dramatic Australian dining rooms
The green terraced area runs along the entire length of the home. We were aiming to evoke a feeling of curiosity and adventure for those who walk through it – particularly the children. For people looking out to it, we sought to provide a green oasis, encouraging users to pause for a moment and enjoy the relaxing view.
See more dramatic Australian dining rooms
There seem to be lots of spaces for escape in this house – correct?
Yes. In a family of six, it seemed necessary to provide spaces for quiet or solo activities. Although the primary intention was to design spaces that could adapt to new functions as the family grows and changes over time.
In addition to the study nook, we included plenty of built-in seating outdoors to extend the living space beyond the enclosed areas, so the occupants could enjoy Sydney’s wonderful climate.
Yes. In a family of six, it seemed necessary to provide spaces for quiet or solo activities. Although the primary intention was to design spaces that could adapt to new functions as the family grows and changes over time.
In addition to the study nook, we included plenty of built-in seating outdoors to extend the living space beyond the enclosed areas, so the occupants could enjoy Sydney’s wonderful climate.
Can you tell us about the pressed-tin ceiling?
The original pressed-tin ceiling was salvaged from the demolition of the lean-to and used in the new kitchen and dining spaces. It provides a sense of connection between the home’s existing period details and the new additions, while reducing landfill and embodied energy.
The decision to recycle this material was not pre‐planned – it was made after I saw the pressed-tin panels sitting in a pile during the demolition. The existing panels were measured and a patchwork pattern was created using the new panels.
Browse more pressed-metal designs
The original pressed-tin ceiling was salvaged from the demolition of the lean-to and used in the new kitchen and dining spaces. It provides a sense of connection between the home’s existing period details and the new additions, while reducing landfill and embodied energy.
The decision to recycle this material was not pre‐planned – it was made after I saw the pressed-tin panels sitting in a pile during the demolition. The existing panels were measured and a patchwork pattern was created using the new panels.
Browse more pressed-metal designs
How does the new addition sit with the original home?
The original home is beautifully complemented by the addition. The original living spaces extend into light-filled indoor and outdoor areas that incorporate existing materials to unify the old and new parts of the home.
The original home is beautifully complemented by the addition. The original living spaces extend into light-filled indoor and outdoor areas that incorporate existing materials to unify the old and new parts of the home.
Why do you think this project works?
It celebrates everyday tasks and allows internal living spaces to flow freely into outdoor spaces, enhancing the aspect of the home.
It celebrates everyday tasks and allows internal living spaces to flow freely into outdoor spaces, enhancing the aspect of the home.
Key features
- A bathroom-laundry pod.
- Kitchen and dining rooms incorporating salvaged materials.
- A study nook.
- An outdoor terrace.
- Large deck with built-in seating and barbecue.
- Double-retractable insect screens.
Materials palette
Tell us
Are you as impressed by this creative addition as we are? Tell us what you love in the Comments. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Enjoyed this story? Don’t miss last week’s Project of the Week: A Smart and Speedy Design Solution for a Growing Family
- Heritage galvanised corrugated-roof sheeting.
- Western red cedar-framed sliding doors and louvres.
- Spotted-gum engineered timber flooring, decking and built-in seating.
- Western red cedar-shiplap cladding in natural oil finish.
- Spotted-gum solid timber kitchen-island benchtop.
- Stainless-steel kitchen benchtop.
- Polytec Melamine Classic cabinetry and door fronts with a matt finish.
- Matt white rectified ceramic wall tiles.
- Porcelain floor tiles.
- Plasterboard painted in Dulux Antique White.
Tell us
Are you as impressed by this creative addition as we are? Tell us what you love in the Comments. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Enjoyed this story? Don’t miss last week’s Project of the Week: A Smart and Speedy Design Solution for a Growing Family
Answers by Clinton Cole, founder and managing director of multi-disciplinary practice CplusC Architectural Workshop
Who lives here: A family with four children under four years of age (at the time of construction), including triplets
Location: Dulwich Hill, NSW
Original size: 230 square metres
Size after extension: 265 square metres
Gained: A new open-plan kitchen and dining space, two new bedrooms, a new bathroom and laundry, and an expansive deck
Budget: Not disclosed
Architect and builder: CplusC Architectural Workshop
Structural engineer: Partridge