Interiors

A Contemporary Extension For A Much-Loved Warrandyte Family Home

Owner Yvette and her husband lived in this Warrandyte, Melbourne home for nearly 20 years before embarking on a recent extension. The space worked well for their young family initially, but now with three growing teenagers, the couple decided it was time for some much needed added space! 

Working with Sanctum Homes, Yvette designed the addition to utilise energy efficient materials including structural insulated panels (SIPS), cross laminated timber (CLT), and double glazed windows.

Breathable timber cladding on the facade ties in with the surrounding bush-like landscape to form a contemporary haven among the trees.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

A contemporary extension by Sanctum Homes has opened this Warrandyte home to its bush landscape. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

Working with Sanctum Homes, homeowner Yvette designed the addition to utilise energy efficient materials including structural insulated panels (SIPS), cross laminated timber (CLT) and double glazed windows. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The simplicity and rawness of interior draws the eye out to the surrounding trees. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

After 20 years in the home, the family owners were requiring additional space for their growing teenagers. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The new upstairs retreat features a media space, kitchenette, and games area. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The existing house was revamped, with a new kitchen, bathrooms, and joinery. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The pool table in the new retreat area. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

Sliding doors reveal the garden outside this bedroom. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The new laundry features a tilt window to double as a bar/servery area. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The black ground floor level of the extension houses the garage, followed by the laundry and entry behind. The new retreat sits above. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

The rustic shiplap timber ‘won’t need oiling and will gradually turn a lighter grey to blend even more with the gums surrounding it,’ says Yvette. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

High windows frame views of the surrounding trees, bringing nature into the property at every opportunity. It’s a home that functions that well as it looks, providing a sustainable place for Yvette and family to rest and evolve. Photography – Marnie Hawson. Styling – Belle Hemming

Writer
Amelia Barnes
26th of September 2022

Homeowner Yvette and her husband bought a newly-built Warrandyte, Melbourne home almost 20 years ago. The home served them well while their children were young, but now with three growing teenagers (aged 18, 16 and 13) they required an additional retreat space and larger outdoor entertaining area.

Yvette designed the extension herself with an interest in utilising structural insulated panels (SIPS): a pre-manufactured insulated layer of rigid core sandwiched between two layers of structural board. ‘I loved the idea of them but not many builders are experienced in constructing them,’ says Yvette of the energy efficient material. 

That all changed when Yvette was chatting to her friend and builder, Hamish White, director of Sanctum Homes, who is coincidentally experienced in SIP construction. The pair discovered they both have a passion for sustainable builds, so they teamed up to create the extension using SIPs, alongside cross laminated timber (CLT), double-glazed windows, and breathable cladding.

A new garage was added to the home with a retreat above featuring a media space, kitchenette, and games area clad in ‘rustic shiplap timber.’ ‘This won’t need oiling and will gradually turn a lighter grey to blend even more with the gums surrounding it. I love that it blends in with the environment,’ says Yvette.    

Behind the garage is the new laundry that doubles as a bar. A tilt window overlooks the new entertaining area where the family come together to relax and entertain. ‘It’s a low maintenance outside area that gives me a sense of calm — especially good to retreat to after I’ve been working in the mayhem of the front native garden!’ Yvette says. 

Meanwhile, the existing house was revamped, with a new kitchen, bathrooms, and joinery. 

High windows frame views of the surrounding trees, bringing nature into the property at every opportunity. It’s a home that functions that well as it looks, providing a sustainable place for Yvette and family to rest and evolve. 

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