Outdoor Space
Looking back, was the hard slog and two-year build worth all the wait and effort? “Absolutely,” says Smith. “During the coldest, hardest months of the build I would remind myself of the outstanding views we have from our home. And now, the house works perfectly for us. When everyone is staying, it feels like a mini hotel with everyone in their own space.”Tell usWhat do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Grey tiles give the upstairs bathroom a more industrial look and feel, although the timber joinery and black details found in the rest of the house are still carried through. “We are proud of the spaciousness and the feeling of it being much bigger than it actually is,” says Morris. “The rear living area is very comfortable and engaging, it gets an abundance of natural light, and being south facing doesn’t require blinds, which helps add to the openness.”Tell usWhat do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
The master ensuite is clean and contemporary with subway tiles on the walls, herringbone marble tiling on the floor, a timber vanity and black detailing. “The black-and-white theme of the living area has been carried throughout the house, including the black doors and bathroom fittings to contrast the white tiles,” says Morris.
Structural steel beams are exposed throughout the open-plan living space, and the glossy black finish continues the theme of the aluminium framing on the rear glazed wall. The space has polished concrete flooring, with white cement to lighten the colour, and black-and-white quartz aggregate for visual interest. “The in-slab heating, coupled with the double glazing and R4.0 roof insulation, makes the house very efficient to [heat and] cool,” says Morris.
Inside, the rear extension is filled with light and has a great sense of openness and space. Black aluminium framing creates a timeless aesthetic, in combination with the crisp white walls and black architectural details. Double glazing and aluminium framing: Aztec Windows; Aether Suspended Fireplace: Aurora
The fence and exterior walls are composed of recycled bricks, with random painted bricks for texture and variance. “The house was going to be very exposed to the side street, so we wanted a main exterior material that was hard wearing, textured and had colour variation,” Morris explains. “The choice of recycled brick allowed us to tie the boundary fence in with the house and give it a mottled patina.”
Building up instead of out allowed space for the required parking, a backyard and an entertaining area. The paving extending from the house to the driveway creates a large outdoor entertaining area when there are no cars. The two-storey extension has a double-height void, and when illuminated it glows like a lantern at night.
The main entrance has been moved to the side of the house, where it leads into the main living area rather than having guests walk through the front bedroom area upon arrival. A void at the entrance connects the levels and introduces the sense of space and light that is a theme throughout the house.
The house is now configured with the master bedroom and ensuite at the front of the house, the living area at the rear, and the remaining two bedrooms and a retreat upstairs.
The house is situated on a 334-square-metre corner block, which presented both challenges and opportunities. The modest size of the site meant a two-storey extension would be necessary in order to retain the backyard, but the corner block meant there could be two points of access, as well as an unobstructed easterly aspect for views and morning light.
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here: Chris Loverso and Meredith Bertram, with their 9-year-old daughter, and George the dogLocation: Northcote, VictoriaSize: 191 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroomsDesign: Ardent ArchitectsBuilder: Beirin Projects“The concept was based around creating a full-sized family home on what is a very modestly sized block,” says Justin Morris, principal of Ardent Architects. “We wanted to create warm, modern living spaces while retaining the charming period front to the existing house.”
Sliders along the whole side of the house
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