The conceptual framework for the project is a direct response to both the client’s brief and the specific conditions of the site. The client sought to maximise natural light to internal and external spaces, support a rich and abundant garden, achieve privacy from surrounding laneways, and deliver a high-performance, sustainable home. Key project characteristics shaping our response included a south-facing backyard, laneways to two boundaries and a road to the third, and a shared commitment to sustainability and a less is more approach.
An L-shaped plan was developed for the extension to draw natural light into the rear living rooms while creating a series of connected outdoor spaces. The living room was deliberately pulled away from the laneway boundary, allowing a side path to connect the outdoor spaces and enhance the experience of being immersed within the garden.
The site sits at the threshold between a residential Brunswick street and a service laneway that provides access to shops along Lygon Street. The residential street is quiet and heritage in character whilst the laneway is a mish mash of old red bricks, corrugated steel fences, roller doors, parked cars and graffitied walls.
While works to the existing dwelling were sympathetic to its heritage character, the extension responds to the material language of the laneway. We developed a form and material palette in keeping with the back-alley vernacular - recycled brick, corrugated zincalume steel, natural timber and strong uninterrupted forms. The laneway fence - constructed from corrugated steel panels with natural timber battens - is durable and pragmatic, with the battens softening its appearance and inviting future garden growth to filter into the laneway.
Retention and reuse underpinned the project at every stage. Existing fabric was preserved wherever possible and second-hand materials prioritised, resulting in minimal waste and an efficient plan. At the concept stage, non-essential elements such as a kitchen island were removed, allowing the kitchen and dining spaces to sit comfortably within the narrow linking zone of the extension. The total floor area of the home is a modest 140m², enabling a more generous garden and allowing our client’s budget to focused on performance and sustainability.
This less is more philosophy extends to a series of other design decisions, including the retention and redesign of the existing brick front fence, the repurposing of the original fireplace as an outdoor fireplace, and the extension or relocation of existing AC systems. Second-hand bricks sourced from a Coburg recycler were used for the extension cladding, recycled timber sleepers for the carport paving, and second-hand pendant lighting throughout. A custom recycled timber dining table was designed in collaboration with a furniture designer to suit the space.
High performance is achieved through a combination of passive design principles and premium building technologies. A new concrete ground slab provides thermal mass and is heated via an electric heat pump powered by a solar system. Enhanced insulation, high-performance glazing, deep eaves, cross-ventilation, and operable highlight windows work together to ensure year-round comfort with minimal energy demand.
