Drawn to deliberative design, simplicity and functionality, inspired by their year living in Japan, the family wanted more considered and purposeful space. They asked for “something different”, modern but not stark or boxy, light and airy but also cosy and comfortable, places to come together and to entertain with direct connection to garden and more private space, suited to each individual.

The original house required general repair, re-stumping, repainting, re-plastering, new flooring, heating and electrical. The new build extends to provide, at ground level, a designated laundry and pantry, an expansive kitchen and dining and a pavilion-style lounge room, raised and protruding into the garden. A new side entryway leads upstairs to two bedrooms, a bathroom, a secret pink craft room and a study/TV/retreat with a generous hammock, utilising the high ceiling.

In realising all aspects of the brief and embedding the solutions into the language of the building, the extension became an unusual stepping and overlapping shape. To unify, a batten screen is set over, bringing together the addition in a simple meeting of forms; while providing shade and protection, restricting overlooking, and creating a covered verandah. The angle of the battens is generated by following the pitch of the old house roof. Services and a bike/bin store are incorporated into the addition on either side, concealed behind sliding batten doors. The screens and the glass wall of the lounge pavilion slide away at the corner, opening up to the outdoors.