Taylor Knights architects highlight that despite the ‘seemingly grand proportions’, this original home was in fact quite modest and efficient in its arrangement – it was a two-bedroom home for 70 years. Built by its original owner, this well loved home had been successful for seven decades, but now as the ‘home base of a young family with two active kids, was ready to enter the next stage of life.’

The renovations retained and restored the existing front three rooms and entrance, and added a new open plan contemporary living, dining, and kitchen space, that connect with the rear yard, as well as a new bedroom and ensuite upstairs. This new design required a considered approach to the orientation of the new addition, as a ‘standard box-on-the-back’ would only catch limited sunlight on the 45-degree orientation of the street grid. The extension was therefore designed to peel away from the original home towards the east, allowing natural light to flood into the home, and creating courtyard and garden spaces.

What connects the existing structure and new addition is the continuation of brickwork as a material motif. The architect explains that ‘right from the beginning, our client expressed a real love of brick and natural materials.’ Taylor Knight were equally excited by the intricate brick detailing and hardwood interiors of the original home, and these details formed the guide-posts for the new addition. Layered over a base palette of brown bricks, concrete floors and timber cabinetry, the architects opted for bold electric blue carpet (!) and cork sheeting using to line internal walls. The result is a striking, robust and functional design that propels this 1940’s gem into the modern day.