This extension lodges itself between the double fronted Victorian weatherboard house to the front and a contemporary skillion roofed bedroom wing to the side. The primary aims were to resolve the wasteful circulation pathways through the existing house, provide an enlarged living area adjacent to the kitchen, and get northern light into the south facing living spaces. All this was to happen within the confines of the original building footprint so as to retain the amenity of the existing backyard and deck. An ad hoc lean-to was removed to make way for the new works, the kitchen was pushed back into the retained heritage building envelope, and a lantern skylight was placed above the new dining area.
To achieve the desired ceiling heights and to hold its place against the disparate adjacent parts, this new element in the overall composition is a robust form which required careful articulation to give appropriate scale and texture in its relationship to the backyard. The feature window seat and surround – which magnify the relationship between inside and out – and the lantern skylight perched on top are used to achieve this along with the material palette of both dry pressed and glazed white bricks, Zincalume Spandek sheeting and charcoal painted steel.
Whilst the rear living areas were the focus, the house was renovated throughout. Children’s bedroom sizes were adjusted from one huge and one tiny to two of equal size along with new roofing, painting, joinery, hydronic heating, wiring, AV and lighting.
Nicholson St Extension Design Specifications
Services Provided
Full Services
Architect
Workshop Architecture
People
Project Director: James Staughton Project Team: James Staughton, Michael Roper, Peter Knight Photographer: Shannon McGrath
Date completed
2013
Location
South Yarra, Victoria
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