In realising all aspects of the brief and embedding the solutions into the language of the building, the extension became an unusual stepping and overlapping shape. To unify, a batten screen is set over, providing shade and privacy and bringing together new and old in a simple meeting of forms. The owner’s brief detailed two major objectives - functionality and space to harmoniously co-exist. Alone Together was the prevailing theme. They asked for intimate retreats and areas spacious enough to accommodate large family gatherings.

The indoors and outdoors would seamlessly merge. They wanted a highly practical and socially active living/kitchen/dining, with a laundry, a pantry, a dedicated home office and a second study/ guest bedroom. With recent studies showing around fifty percent of 18 to 29 year olds still living at home, they hoped to provide their teenagers with their own ‘apartment’ - or at least the feeling of one. The old house presented great character and was in general good state. The alteration and addition begins with the configuration of new side entry, to bypass private space and re-orient access into the centre of the house.

The gate opens into the first of three pocket garden/ light-wells, inviting air flow and views of greenery into the house, here, through the windows of the laundry and the home office at each side. Off the entry a perforated steel staircase leads directly up to the ‘apartment’, comprising two bedrooms, a central bathroom ‘box', a secret pink craft room and a study/TV/retreat, with a generous hammock utilising the high ceiling. In strategically avoiding the expansive open-plan living from feeling as the owners feared, “too cavernous” the lounge room extends off the main entertaining zone.

Providing just the right amount of space, the form sits slightly raised and protrudes, like a pavilion, sitting within and fully opening up to the garden.