Buxton Street - Deakin

The home has been extended at ground level toward the front boundary and to the rear of the house where the deck was extended to better connect the internal living spaces with the outdoors.

The front extension has been setback 6 metres from the front boundary and includes a small private courtyard space for seasonal outdoor use.  The extension reduces the impact of the original imposing two storey high wall and makes good use of space that had previously been wasted.  The internal spaces have been arranged to minimise wasted space whilst also offering segregation between defined zones; the family spaces including new kitchen are at the rear of the home, spilling out to the new deck and garden.  The parents have their bedroom and “quiet zone” at the front of the house with screened views to courtyards and gardens.  The kids’ bedrooms and bathroom, which have all been renovated, have been retained upstairs.

The existing house was retained as red face brickwork and the new extension has been expressed as an addition through the use of alternative lightweight building materials.  This identifies the existing building yet provides an interesting visual counterpoint to the original unbroken and blunt two storey façade.  The highly articulated courtyard wall adds further interest to the streetscape and in effect achieves the aim of disguising the home against being just another mirror image duplex.