Project Of The Week
Architecture
Backyard Beauty: An Architect-Designed Garden Studio Exuding Calm
With a warm, plywood-lined interior and huge openings to catch the breeze, this 'granny flat' makes a welcoming retreat
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Carolyn Miles, architect and co-director at Watershed Design, shares the journey of designing a cosy and eco-friendly self-contained studio with one bedroom and one bathroom for visiting family.
What was here originally?
The previous building was a dilapidated timber structure that we were not able to work with.
We replaced it with this small, self-contained dwelling – a single-storey building with a mezzanine bedroom space. It is separate to our main house, which is a renovated Modernist style.
While the main abode maintains much of its original Modernist design, the studio is a completely new building and so a new architectural language was appropriate.
See more fabulous images of Australian garden studios on Houzz
The previous building was a dilapidated timber structure that we were not able to work with.
We replaced it with this small, self-contained dwelling – a single-storey building with a mezzanine bedroom space. It is separate to our main house, which is a renovated Modernist style.
While the main abode maintains much of its original Modernist design, the studio is a completely new building and so a new architectural language was appropriate.
See more fabulous images of Australian garden studios on Houzz
What was your brief?
To create a self-contained studio to be used by visiting family or as a separate space for our teenagers to study or have sleepovers with their friends. We wanted a building that used the footprint of the existing studio and fitted between the existing large trees.
We wanted to create a warm, inviting space that was private and offered a sense of calm.
Architecturally, it was an opportunity to create an expressive form and give a street presence to a home that was previously hidden.
To create a self-contained studio to be used by visiting family or as a separate space for our teenagers to study or have sleepovers with their friends. We wanted a building that used the footprint of the existing studio and fitted between the existing large trees.
We wanted to create a warm, inviting space that was private and offered a sense of calm.
Architecturally, it was an opportunity to create an expressive form and give a street presence to a home that was previously hidden.
Ground floor plan
What did you do?
We replaced the existing single-level studio space with a small self-contained dwelling comprising a ground floor living space, kitchenette and bathroom with a bedroom on a mezzanine level.
The form was generated from the complexities of the available space between large existing trees, privacy and set-back requirements.
A material palette was generated from a desire to reference the existing house, while timber, steel and brickwork are used in a compositional form to introduce a previously lacking street presence.
A plywood lined interior gives a sense of calm and cohesion to the multi-faceted form.
What did you do?
We replaced the existing single-level studio space with a small self-contained dwelling comprising a ground floor living space, kitchenette and bathroom with a bedroom on a mezzanine level.
The form was generated from the complexities of the available space between large existing trees, privacy and set-back requirements.
A material palette was generated from a desire to reference the existing house, while timber, steel and brickwork are used in a compositional form to introduce a previously lacking street presence.
A plywood lined interior gives a sense of calm and cohesion to the multi-faceted form.
Mezzanine bedroom plan
Tell us about your material choices
We tried to choose materials that are durable and will stand the test of time.
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) timber beams, which are used in the upper floor and roof framing, are made using smaller sections of timber that are laminated together to reduce timber waste.
Likewise, plywood is a material that reduces wood wastage as it’s made from thin veneers.
The Australian hardwood windows, doors and external cladding come from sustainably grown sources.
Tell us about your material choices
We tried to choose materials that are durable and will stand the test of time.
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) timber beams, which are used in the upper floor and roof framing, are made using smaller sections of timber that are laminated together to reduce timber waste.
Likewise, plywood is a material that reduces wood wastage as it’s made from thin veneers.
The Australian hardwood windows, doors and external cladding come from sustainably grown sources.
Talk us through the layout
The building is a new construction consisting of ground-level living space, kitchenette and bathroom. A washing machine and dryer are located in a cupboard under the stairs.
There is a bedroom with a queen-size bed is in an upstairs loft space.
The living space opens to a small north-facing courtyard area set down from the street front.
The building is a new construction consisting of ground-level living space, kitchenette and bathroom. A washing machine and dryer are located in a cupboard under the stairs.
There is a bedroom with a queen-size bed is in an upstairs loft space.
The living space opens to a small north-facing courtyard area set down from the street front.
What was the budget?
Approximately $200k.
Where did most of it go?
On labour.
Approximately $200k.
Where did most of it go?
On labour.
How energy-efficient is it?
We used passive design principles of cross ventilation and thermal mass to keep a comfortable temperature in the space. These include:
We used passive design principles of cross ventilation and thermal mass to keep a comfortable temperature in the space. These include:
- Louvre windows (remotely operated when out of reach) to maximise ventilation.
- Polished-concrete floor slab (poured over an existing slab) to create a large thermal mass.
- North-facing windows and doors with shading to protect from summer sun, allow winter sun to warm the floor slab.
- High-level windows exhaust warm air to keep the space cool in summer.
- Insulation to all walls.
There is also:
- A ceiling fan over the bed, which is adequate for comfort on most summer nights. But for those times when it’s too hot or cold, a small reverse-cycle air conditioner has been installed.
- Solar panels installed on the roof of the main house offset electricity used from the grid.
- An instant gas hot water unit.
How well does it work for you?
The new studio has been great for us. We have family living interstate and they have their own space when they come to visit.
At other times our teenagers have a place to hang out, a quiet place to study or have sleepovers with their friends.
The new studio has been great for us. We have family living interstate and they have their own space when they come to visit.
At other times our teenagers have a place to hang out, a quiet place to study or have sleepovers with their friends.
The view into the kitchenette
We love the wall tiles – tell us about them
We had some fun with the tiling, using a geometric patterned tile that referenced the angles in the architecture and offered something a bit out of the ordinary.
We had some fun with the tiling, using a geometric patterned tile that referenced the angles in the architecture and offered something a bit out of the ordinary.
Materials palette
Interior palette
Interior palette
- A black polished-concrete floor.
- Evo Tile + Stone Fuoricitta Confini Ghiaccio in Beige patterned and plain tiles to the kitchen and bathroom walls.
- Evo Tile + Stone Cumbria Terrazzo 400x400 millimetre floor tiles.
- Caesarstone Airy Concrete benchtops.
- Hardware & General ADP Margo Duo matt white basin to the vanity.
- Vanity custom made by Styline Kitchens, with a plywood drawer-front inspired by the tiles and made by the owners.
Exterior palette
- PGH Bricks & Pavers Morada Bianco Linear bricks to the western ground-floor wall.
- The rest of the exterior cladding is in Australian hardwood milled in a special profile to match the main house.
- Colorbond Monument in a Spandek profile to the roof.
The interior of the building is lined with birch plywood with joinery finished in the same material giving a calm and cohesive feeling
The arresting plywood drawer front was inspired by the design of the tiles and made by the owners
Custom-made steel window hoods were used to provide weather protection and offer shading
Your turn
Would you find this a useful addition to your property? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to know the ins and outs of putting in backyard accommodation? This story is a must-read: Extra Accommodation: A Guide to Granny Flats, Tiny Homes & More
Your turn
Would you find this a useful addition to your property? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to know the ins and outs of putting in backyard accommodation? This story is a must-read: Extra Accommodation: A Guide to Granny Flats, Tiny Homes & More
Answers by Carolyn Miles, architect and director at Watershed Design
Who lives here: This is a ‘granny flat’ built as separate guest accommodation
Location: Clontarf, NSW
Size of the dwelling: 35 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: One bedroom in the mezzanine loft and one bathroom on the ground level
Budget: Around $200k
Architects and owners: Carolyn Miles and Mark Korgul at Watershed Design
Builder: Doneright Constructions
Joinery: Styline Kitchens
Windows and doors: Shamrock
Internal plywood detailing: Bill Demery