New Timber Gusset
When a young family grows from a couple, to a couple with two kids, the family home can feel like it's bursting at the seams. You have two choices: Pack up and move the family to a larger home, or stay where you are and invest in renovation to keep your family happy for years to come.
Jack and his family chose the latter. They already had a beautiful house in a good location -- they just needed a little room to move.
FMD Architects reconfigured the existing space and added a moderately-sized extension to fit living and dining areas -- all while maintaining a decent-sized backyard for the kids. This simple 'gusset' will serve the family well into the future.
The current residence was reworked to incorporate 3 bedrooms and a 4th flexible space. The bathroom was re-planned as an Ensuite and a new combined laundry/bathroom integrated inside the current home. The kitchen was lowered in size to supply space for the new laundry/bath and the new extension supplying a big open space with access to east and north light as nicely as organic cross ventilation. The house has successfully transitioned from a couple with no kids to a 4 individual family, with spaces getting reused according to their changing demands.
Rhythm Making
Outdoor entertainment space is enclosed by timber beams and columns which extend out from the building. This sets up a rhythm for the extension and defines the modern space.
These timber beams are the stitches that tie the home's new gusset into the original house. The simple raked beams connect the new building to the saw-toothed brick factory on the rear boundary.
Bathed in Light
The extended living area has glass full-height glass along the Northern side to capture the sun, ensuring the living area is bathed in light in winter months. A thin, elegant eave and an arbor for a deciduous vine provides protection in the summer. This is the perfect passive solar design.
Simple Palette
Inside, the modern spaces are defined by exposed timber and exposed concrete. This simple, honest palette keeps the home feeling light and bright.
The simple extension is humble, but richly detailed. Timber stud-work -- the structure of the home -- is left exposed, even the noggins. This gives the home an honest warmth that you don't find in many modern extensions.
The extension feels like a holiday shack compared to the rest of the home -- a casual, simple space for the family.
Plywood Kitchen
Simple plywood shelves and bench tops are used in the kitchen. The plywood kitchen is a stylish, but affordable alternative to a regular laminate kitchen.
Transitioning
The transition from the old part of the house to the new is established by an increasing amount of timber. Stained plywood and timber beams replace white walls and ornate cornices.
The Victorian corridor opens into a modern, light, open-plan space.
Room to Move
For a moderate-sized addition, Jack's House has transformed the original Victorian-era house into a modern family home. The family now have room to move and grow for the future.