Houzz Tour: A Modern Extension Brings Together the Old & the New
A contemporary extension, purposely designed in contrasting materials, unites the old with the new in this family home
Far too often the heritage buildings in Perth’s inner-city blocks are being knocked down and replaced with multiple new homes to meet growing demand. But it was a different story for this beautiful property, which dates back to 1917. Purchased as a development project for a young family, architect Janik Dalecki of Dalecki Designs was determined to restore and reinstate the period elegance of the heritage building, while adding a wonderfully practical and hugely modern extension to encourage an easy-living, contemporary lifestyle.
With the full support and backing of the local heritage officers and council, the architects embarked on an exciting quest to create a boldly unique design statement that was sympathetic to the original heritage, while making the home more suitable for the modern age.
With the full support and backing of the local heritage officers and council, the architects embarked on an exciting quest to create a boldly unique design statement that was sympathetic to the original heritage, while making the home more suitable for the modern age.
From the outset, this house had strong bones, with beautiful roof lines and ornate windows bringing elegance and charm.
Purposely designed to make a bold statement, the modern additions have been constructed from a timber frame and covered with black wood-composite cladding to accentuate the contrast with the rich red brick of the original house. However, the black extension has then been tied back to the existing home through dark features such as the window frames, black-rendered bands, guttering and tuck pointing for an overall cohesive finish. The entire house was then heavily insulated with the highest- preforming insulation that could fit in the existing spaces.
Check out these 9 cladding ideas for facades
Check out these 9 cladding ideas for facades
Due to a moderate slope leading from the front of the property to the back, the project required a construction method that would allow the above-ground floor level to remain, without significant retaining walls or new fill being required.
The construction and design was also impacted by the house being located within a character protection area. “We designed this home ensuring it was sympathetic to the heritage guidelines, as well as all the requirements of a heritage-listed home,” says Dalecki.
The construction and design was also impacted by the house being located within a character protection area. “We designed this home ensuring it was sympathetic to the heritage guidelines, as well as all the requirements of a heritage-listed home,” says Dalecki.
Originally the house was a total of 105 square metres, (1130 square feet) with three bedrooms and one reception room.
All the existing rooms remain true to their original size, other than one of the bedrooms, which was originally used as a dining room. This room was split in two, one half becoming the new bathroom and the second half becoming the ensuite for the master suite at the back of the house. Additionally, the old kitchen then became the walk-in-robe for the master suite.
The layout of the house was reworked to create not only a free-flowing open-plan living area, but to position all the living spaces in the optimal location to expose them to the cooling summer southwest breezes, and the warm northern sunlight in winter. The project was completed in May 2017, and the full design and construction process took a total of 15 months.
The layout of the house was reworked to create not only a free-flowing open-plan living area, but to position all the living spaces in the optimal location to expose them to the cooling summer southwest breezes, and the warm northern sunlight in winter. The project was completed in May 2017, and the full design and construction process took a total of 15 months.
At the centre of the home is the open-plan ‘entertainer’s dream’, with a huge island bench set in the middle of the room and a dining area flanked by exterior views. Large sliding doors completely open the living area to the outdoors, creating a seamless flow from indoors to out. “When the doors are open, the spaces are connected and transformed into one large entertaining zone,” says Dalecki.
Take a look at these 7 living rooms that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor
Take a look at these 7 living rooms that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor
The dining space has been ‘punched out’ from the rest of the house structure to capture the northern light. This also serves to capture the city views from the dining space.
The high ceilings of the new extension, plus the addition of the highlight windows along the top, create a beautiful airy feature. “The natural light that now floods this space and the breeze that passes through in the late afternoon in summer is fantastic,” says Dalecki.
In order to let the intricate heritage details of the original home shine, the new extension incorporates contrasting materials and sharp, minimalist lines to create a strikingly modern form. While this creates a clear definition between the old and the new, a neutral colour scheme and the use of the existing floorboards throughout provide a cohesive transition between the two eras.
The fireplaces were restored and given a new lease on life. “We intended to keep the existing bedrooms and living room as true to their original form as possible. All the original heritage features of these spaces have been restored to maintain the home’s charm,” says Dalecki.
These original spaces, with their fireplaces, cornices, ceiling roses and skirting boards, have a natural classic feel and vibe compared with the modern spaces, particularly as the original windows in all these rooms are quite small. “As the rooms in the old part of the house feel darker and moodier, it was our intention that the modern extension felt more simplistic in design, with sleek cornicing and skirting, and injected with plenty of light to open it up,” says Dalecki.
These original spaces, with their fireplaces, cornices, ceiling roses and skirting boards, have a natural classic feel and vibe compared with the modern spaces, particularly as the original windows in all these rooms are quite small. “As the rooms in the old part of the house feel darker and moodier, it was our intention that the modern extension felt more simplistic in design, with sleek cornicing and skirting, and injected with plenty of light to open it up,” says Dalecki.
When it comes to the sleeping areas, they have been divided into two distinct zones. The master bedroom has been positioned to the rear, providing a sense of privacy, while the two existing front bedrooms have been left, with the addition of their own shared bathroom, providing a much more practical layout.
In the master bedroom, a wide-ledged window floods the room with natural light and creates a wonderful reading nook, while providing a restorative connection with the external spaces.
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The simple, pared-back palette is continued into the bathrooms, where a cool grey tile brings an industrial touch to the heritage home.
A large skylight over the ensuite’s walk-in shower creates a sense of bathing beneath the clouds.
At the front of the house, the porch area has been kept true to the era by restoring features where possible, or replacing like for like. For example, Colorbond cladding was chosen as the roofing material to replicate the original roof of the heritage home.
Learn how to perk up the porches
Learn how to perk up the porches
The materials for the modern addition, however, accentuate the contrast with the existing house. Weathertex cladding on the new structure was painted black to jump out from the red brick.
A contemporary fire pit now graces the modern courtyard, creating a wonderful alfresco entertaining space all year round.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Lovingly Restored 1960s ‘Spaceship’ Home
Tell us:
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Lovingly Restored 1960s ‘Spaceship’ Home
Tell us:
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Who lives here: A family with young children
Location: Perth, WA
Size: 170 square metres (1800 square feet) plus outdoor space; 3 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Architect and build team: Dalecki Design
Awards: Winner of the 2017 Building Designers Association of Western Australia (BDAWA) award for Overall Design Excellence. Winner of the 2017 BDAWA award for Best Residential Alteration and Addition Between $350-$800K.
The architect’s brief was to transform this home into an entertainer’s dream, and ultimately a home ready for modern family living. The tired and impractical layout was to become light, bright and centred around an entertainer’s open-plan layout, with sweeping views of the city and a clear connection with the outdoor space. And while the home had to be family friendly, a luxurious master retreat was also on the wish list so the adults could escape to the privacy of their own space.