Our design approach emphasises creating a spacious, light-filled living area that connects with the rear garden and laneway, while also introducing an upstairs parent’s retreat with an ensuite and an additional bedroom for the children. The challenge lay in significantly increasing the floor area without overwhelming the original structure, ensuring that the extension remains sensitive to the home’s heritage and is discreet from the front streetscape.

Working within the tight heritage controls set by the Council was a critical aspect of this project. We carefully balanced new and old elements by employing a gable roof form that respects the scale and geometry of the original house. The angled roof planes toward the street soften the transition between the new, higher gable and the existing roofline, achieving cohesion between past and present.

To enhance the sense of space and connection with the outdoors, the floor level was stepped down with the natural slope of the site towards the rear, allowing for higher ceilings in the living area and bedrooms above. This design choice amplifies the feeling of openness and strengthens the visual and physical connection to the garden.