Project Of The Week
A Smart and Speedy Design Solution for a Growing Family
A run-down, three-bedroom, one-bathroom weatherboard home gets a makeover and a sunny new extension
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation or extension each week. Here, interior designer and project manager Inna Tempany reveals how she found the perfect design solution for extending this tired, three-bedroom, one-bathroom family home in record time.
What was the house like originally ?
It was a run-down, three-bedroom, one-bathroom weatherboard house on a 465-square-metre block. It had lots of awkward features; there were three entrances, the kitchen was separated from the living area and the laundry was located in an outside shed.
It was a run-down, three-bedroom, one-bathroom weatherboard house on a 465-square-metre block. It had lots of awkward features; there were three entrances, the kitchen was separated from the living area and the laundry was located in an outside shed.
What was the clients’ brief?
The clients were expecting their second child and were outgrowing their current home. They wanted an extra bedroom and living space to better accommodate their growing family. They wanted the extra bedroom to be located away from the other bedrooms so it would be a quiet retreat.
Also, they sought to replace the existing outside laundry with a large, indoor one.
Room of the Week: A Serene Parents’ Retreat
The clients were expecting their second child and were outgrowing their current home. They wanted an extra bedroom and living space to better accommodate their growing family. They wanted the extra bedroom to be located away from the other bedrooms so it would be a quiet retreat.
Also, they sought to replace the existing outside laundry with a large, indoor one.
Room of the Week: A Serene Parents’ Retreat
Before extension
What were the clients’ must-haves?
What were the clients’ must-haves?
- Built-in storage.
- The new extension needed to flow smoothly from the existing house.
- A design that maximised natural light.
- A speedy build (their second child was on the way).
- A sustainable approach to the building and materials.
- Matching floorboards in the old and new parts of the house.
Proposed extension
What did you do?
We added a new 65-square-metre extension to the existing weatherboard house. The new extension is cleverly linked to the original home so we did not inconvenience the owners during construction. It took 122 days to complete the project – that’s 90 business days.
The extension houses a new master bedroom and ensuite, open-plan kitchen, laundry and plenty of built-in storage. We also added a large, new 30-square-metre deck to create a sense of connection between the new extension and the old house.
While we were building the extension, the owners renovated the existing house as owner-builders. They turned the existing kitchen into a bedroom. They then removed the bedroom wall where the extension connected to the original house and turned the space into an open-plan living and dining area that linked to the new open-plan kitchen in the extension.
What did you do?
We added a new 65-square-metre extension to the existing weatherboard house. The new extension is cleverly linked to the original home so we did not inconvenience the owners during construction. It took 122 days to complete the project – that’s 90 business days.
The extension houses a new master bedroom and ensuite, open-plan kitchen, laundry and plenty of built-in storage. We also added a large, new 30-square-metre deck to create a sense of connection between the new extension and the old house.
While we were building the extension, the owners renovated the existing house as owner-builders. They turned the existing kitchen into a bedroom. They then removed the bedroom wall where the extension connected to the original house and turned the space into an open-plan living and dining area that linked to the new open-plan kitchen in the extension.
Extension details
Where did most of the $200,000 to $300,000 budget go?
On the construction of the structure, the steel sub-floor, the structurally insulated wall and roof panels, and the pre-fabrication costs. These are the most important parts of the build to get right as they ensure that the structure lasts. The finishes are the fun part!
Can you describe the new extension?
The new pre-fabricated, single-storey, ground-floor extension houses a master bedroom with a walk-in robe, a bathroom with a shower, a full laundry and a kitchen with an island. The ceiling height starts at 2,700 millimetres at the lowest point and rises to 3,470 millimetres at the highest end.
The extension is built with structurally insulated wall and roof panels to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. There are large windows and doors throughout the extension to maximise light and air flow.
A large deck joins the existing building and the extension, creating one inside-outside space.
Where did most of the $200,000 to $300,000 budget go?
On the construction of the structure, the steel sub-floor, the structurally insulated wall and roof panels, and the pre-fabrication costs. These are the most important parts of the build to get right as they ensure that the structure lasts. The finishes are the fun part!
Can you describe the new extension?
The new pre-fabricated, single-storey, ground-floor extension houses a master bedroom with a walk-in robe, a bathroom with a shower, a full laundry and a kitchen with an island. The ceiling height starts at 2,700 millimetres at the lowest point and rises to 3,470 millimetres at the highest end.
The extension is built with structurally insulated wall and roof panels to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. There are large windows and doors throughout the extension to maximise light and air flow.
A large deck joins the existing building and the extension, creating one inside-outside space.
What challenges did you have to work around?
The clients were expecting at the time so we had to work in the most efficient and least disruptive way.
We love how bright and light the extension is – how did you achieve this?
We faced the extension towards the north to catch the best sun of the day. We added bi-fold doors to the existing house to capture the beautiful eastern sunlight. And we put highlight windows above the bi-fold doors to draw in more light.
Browse more contemporary open-plan kitchens
The clients were expecting at the time so we had to work in the most efficient and least disruptive way.
We love how bright and light the extension is – how did you achieve this?
We faced the extension towards the north to catch the best sun of the day. We added bi-fold doors to the existing house to capture the beautiful eastern sunlight. And we put highlight windows above the bi-fold doors to draw in more light.
Browse more contemporary open-plan kitchens
How does the new extension sit with the original home?
We’ve used matching floorboards, skirting boards, architraves, door handles and paint colours on the walls, windows and doors in the new extension to connect it with the original home.
At the same time, the extension has a distinctly contemporary feel, with high ceilings, and modern fixtures and finishes.
Why do you think it works?
By adding a link to the extension as opposed to connecting it to the main house, we reduced the build time and allowed the clients to live in the house with minimal inconvenience during construction.
We’ve used matching floorboards, skirting boards, architraves, door handles and paint colours on the walls, windows and doors in the new extension to connect it with the original home.
At the same time, the extension has a distinctly contemporary feel, with high ceilings, and modern fixtures and finishes.
Why do you think it works?
By adding a link to the extension as opposed to connecting it to the main house, we reduced the build time and allowed the clients to live in the house with minimal inconvenience during construction.
Key features
- Structurally insulated wall and roof panels for natural temperature control.
- Large bi-fold doors with highlight windows opening onto a new recycled-ironbark deck.
- High ceilings and a modern, skilion roof.
- Large kitchen island.
- Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry providing extensive storage in the new kitchen, laundry and walk-in robe.
- A feature bay window with concealed storage.
- Sustainably sourced, often recycled, materials used throughout.
Materials palette
Tell us
Do you love this addition as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Enjoyed this story? You’ll love A Humble, Edwardian Home Full of Hidden Surprises
- Tasmanian-oak flooring.
- Recycled-ironbark decking.
- Shadowclad exterior cladding.
- Moorabbin Tile bathroom tiles.
- Colorbond Night Sky external cladding.
- Dulux paint colours throughout, including Pearl White on windows, external doors, skirting boards architraves and ceiling; Lexicon Quarter Strength on internal walls; and Duck Egg Blue on internal doors.
Tell us
Do you love this addition as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Enjoyed this story? You’ll love A Humble, Edwardian Home Full of Hidden Surprises
Answers by Inna Schelov, project manager at Garden Studios
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Yarraville, Victoria
Original size: 95 square metres
Size after extension: 160 square metres (excluding the 30-square-metre deck)
Gained: A 65-square-metre extension housing a new master bedroom and ensuite, open-plan kitchen, laundry and built-in storage, plus a new 30-square-metre deck
Budget: $200,000 to $300,000
Design and styling: Inna Schelov and Joseph Cade, Garden Studios
Builder: Vincent Mercovich, Merconstructions