This Californian bungalow is located, on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD, in West Footscray. The initial brief was to create a contemporary open-plan living area with more bedrooms and bathrooms, plus increase energy efficiency levels, all within the existing footprint of the single-storey house.
The proposed new areas were designed to maximize northerly aspect and views to the extensive garden beyond. Approximately two-thirds of the original house was demolished and re-built at the rear. The new additions respected the surrounding landscape, by avoiding the removal of a significant magnolia tree that assists in shading the house during summer. This created an opportunity to cantilever out a section of new roof, to provide some shelter from the elements for the deck below. A new light-well, lined with floorboards, slices through the ceiling space to create a delightful point of interest that defines the open areas below. The light-well also allows for heat built-up over summer to be expelled via motorized louvers.
The renovation works were completed by on-budget and generally exceeded the home owner’s expectations and brief, much to the delight of everyone involved on the project.
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