For many of us, the home terrace or patio is a safe haven, a place to escape and enjoy some personal space. Unfortunately, Mother Nature regularly has other plans for us. If you’re sick of your morning coffee routine being interrupted by the cold wind, the solution is simple: a retractable terrace enclosure.

Get more time from your outdoor area

A retractable enclosure means you can shield yourself from the elements without sacrificing the feeling of the sun on your skin when the weather permits. Attached to a retaining wall, or other structure, a retractable terrace enclosure can be opened or closed by the click of a button. Say goodbye to the pesky Mossies’ ruining your sundowners and say hello to temperature control and protection.

Bang for your buck

Our favourite feature of the TPEC terrace enclosures is that their product range doesn’t require you to compromise your home’s style. Completely customizable to your preferences TPEC terrace enclosures will ensure you get the most out of your outdoor living space, all year round.

A retractable enclosure is a long-term investment, reducing energy expenses and maintenance costs. During the day, natural light will warm up the enclosure and retain the heat for when the nighttime chill sets in.

For more information

TPEC Australia

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Home extensions are the perfect solution to finding more space in your existing home, without the hassle of moving or undertaking a complete renovation.

We’ve compiled a list of our four favourite incredible home extensions, to see the potential of going “over and out” from your existing home to create the space of your dreams!

#38934

Extending into unused backyard space can create an incredible indoor-outdoor living space to upgrade the entertaining potential of your home. With the seamless integration of alfresco living in this home, the attention to detail ensures that the outdoor living space can  be used year-round: aluminium louvres can be opened for cool breezes in summer, the locally designed fireplace for warmth and coziness into winter.

#5454

This home extension transformed a “mossy slab of concrete” into a complete relaxation wonderland. It’s a stunning example of how space can be completely reinvented via a home extension, but still feature the charm and character of the rest of the existing home. The benefit of extending onto a well-loved existing home is that the tenants already know their wants and needs for the space: as shown in this example, extending onto your own, loved abode ensures that you know the comfortable new space will work to suit your lifestyle.

#36818

Talk about style. The sweeping vistas of this home extension, transforming the backyard space, adds a completely modern element to refresh a tired and unused area. The use of comfort elements that we are used to seeing almost exclusively indoors, including vast undercover areas, ceiling lights and fans and wall mounted televisions, makes this a home extension that, while not fully enclosed, can be used rain, hail or shine.

#38003

This extension, jutting out from the back of the house to embrace the incredible sunshine of Sydney’s fantastic weather, shows how home extensions can be re-imagined beyond the four-walls of the house. The incredible triangulating design of this tiered space blends design with usability, making use of outdoor space in a practical but also exciting way that encourages an indoor-outdoor, healthy way of life.

Looking for more advice on home extensions? Check out more here!

The post Over and Out: 4 inspiring home extensions appeared first on Completehome.

To blend or not to blend? This is one of the biggest challenges confronting those extending an existing property and, according to builder James Watkin, it’s where many good designs come unstuck. “People often try to make the extension blend in perfectly with the existing home, or they make the extension completely modern and it doesn’t blend in at all,” he says.

James, owner of Jakin Construction Group, was handed plans for an old worker’s cottage on Sydney’s North Shore that was to have a crisp, bright and slightly industrial extension. It was a brave order but, with a few tweaks to the original design, his team has achieved the Holy Grail: an extension that does not merely complement the existing structure, but enhances it — a fact acknowledged by its recent win at the Master Builders Association awards.

To modernise the old cottage, the team replaced its terracotta roof tiles with Colorbond metal sheeting and installed the same spotted-gum flooring used in the extension. Construction work on the new kitchen, living room and spare room had to be extremely precise to achieve the clean lines the owners wanted. With no cornices or architraves, there would be nowhere to hide inconsistencies.

Each piece of hardwood used for the staircase tread had to be cut on site to ensure a perfect fit. However, no element of the seven-month project was more demanding than the exposed dark-blue structural steel that frames the exterior grey cladding. It’s unusual to see cladding used in a sleek design like this but it adds a unique texture and gives the facade an industrial look. However, installation of the supporting steel was a tough job; not only is it almost three-storeys high, all welding and bolts had to be seamless because the steel is entirely exposed. “It was like working with a piece of jewellery, but doing it with a crane,” James laughs.

The company also took care of the landscaping, which involved levelling the incredibly steep block to give the owners’ three small children a big backyard to play in. Jakin Construction Group is fairly unique in that the company has its own architects, builders, landscapers and pool experts. For clients, it means dealing with one contact person and getting one warranty for a job that may include several tradespeople.

There are also advantages when it comes to design. “Because I’m a builder, I’m not just looking at the aesthetics when we design a home; I’m looking at the structure, the materials selected and how we are actually going to build the thing,” James says. “Simple details can save big money, like making a wall half a metre smaller so it doesn’t require a steel beam.” And if there’s one thing James knows all about after this exceptional renovation, it’s the installation of supporting steel.

For more information
jakin.com.au

Originally from Best Homes magazine, Volume 2

The post A Modern marvel: Perfect blend appeared first on Completehome.

HOUSE Sunny Sanctuary

LOCATION Melbourne, Vic

DATE COMPLETED September 2010

COST $700,000

A rear extension has given this weatherboard cottage a new lease on life. Like many of its neighbours, originally this inner-city Melbourne home was a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house with a central living area and bathroom and laundry at its rear. The problem with this design was the lack of an outlook and natural light, and a bathroom and laundry that restricted the flow of the home and prevented the residents from enjoying their backyard. With two primary-school-aged daughters, the family also needed to increase their living space.

As is often the case in inner-city suburbs, the lifestyle and access to the city is appealing, while the cramped living quarters is not. What this clever redesign sought from the start was to give this family of four room to move and enjoy their home, without the need to switch locations. On the west side of the home, the bathroom, laundry, dining room and freestanding garage out the back were all demolished, instantly opening up the home and creating more space.

“The brief asked for a renovation and extension to create an open-plan living, dining, kitchen area and parents’ retreat that included master bedroom, study and ensuite,” says architect Cameron Fry, who worked on the project in conjunction with Luke Stanley Architects.

The old living room at the centre of the home wasn’t inviting or light enough, so it became the perfect spot for a rumpus room and laundry. When space is tight on the ground, sometimes the best thing to do is go up. A two-storey extension was added to the rear of the home, consisting of a double garage at ground level, along with the open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces, plus a second lounge area. These new spaces open out to the back garden and outdoor entertaining areas, creating almost a whole extra room for the family to enjoy. While these occupy the ground level of the extension, the second storey is a private parents’ retreat with a master bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe and a study overlooking the void to downstairs.

At the previously dark and rarely used back of the home, the two-storey void reaches from the open-plan living areas to the second level, allowing light to fill both spaces — from the study down to the kitchen, living and dining section. Combined with the glass doors opening to the outside, it has made a dramatic change and transformed the overall feel of the home to create a bright, spacious and inviting atmosphere.

Living close to neighbours is often a big deterrent in building a second level, however careful consideration has meant this thankfully isn’t an issue for these homeowners. “Special design consideration was required to prevent looking onto the neighbouring property from the first-floor rooms,” says Cameron.

With the key factors of privacy, light and views in mind, Cameron goes on to describe the timber battens encasing the rear extension. Matching the cladding of the ground-floor walls, the battens act as a screen, transitioning from open to semi-closed at eye level to ensure privacy is maintained yet light is still filtered into the home. “The clever use of transitional timber battens proves that privacy can be achieved in more ways than one,” says Cameron. Light and an outlook in small spaces will always be a winner; it makes the home feel larger and less congested, as well as creating a nicer living environment.

The timber-sheathed volume of the extension is a stunning example of form and function, with the new addition, clad in Cypress pine boards, providing a warm and contemporary contrast to the original painted weatherboard house. Not only this, the volume extends from the existing home’s eave line, wrapping vertically at the rear to then form the plane of the first floor, explains Cameron. “Importantly, this gesture orientates the new spaces back toward the existing home while protecting the exposed upper volume from passing traffic along the lane,” says Cameron. The cantilevered form creates an overhang that provides cover for the home’s large sliding glass doors, which open to a paved courtyard that utilises the northern orientation. A nod to passive solar design principles, it also means the expansive north-facing glazing is shaded in summer while allowing the winter sun to warm the exposed concrete slab.

A contemporary interior style completes this fresh, compact home. The neutral palette works well with the family’s pre-existing collection of furniture, and cool whites, combined with polished concrete floors, balance the warm tones of the extensive timber facades. The spaces feel light, open and have the illusion of space, with the outdoors welcomed in via the large glass sliding doors that face the sunny paved courtyard.

Despite its tight squeeze and inner-city location, this project, which took around two years to complete, shows it is still possible to have a private, homely and quiet abode, with spacious living areas, double garage and outdoor entertaining terrace.

Project details:

Architects Cameron David Fry Architect (0414 472 590); Luke Stanley Architects(0403 186 004, Lukestanleyarchitects.Com)

Builder Fry Built (0418 337 708, Frybuilt.Com.Au)

Structure

Structural Engineer Keith Long & Associates (03 9429 5286)

Fixtures And Fittings

Tapware/Sanitaryware/Plumbing Supplies Reece Plumbing (03 9274 0000); Roger Seller (03 9429 8888); Franke Sinks (03 9700 9100)

Kitchen Appliances Qasair Rangehood (03 9482 7088); Fisher & Paykel Fridge (1300 650 590)

Doors And Windows Geelong Glass & Aluminium (03 5277 3820)

Furniture And Furnishings

Furniture Jardan (03 9548 8866); By Owner

Lighting Richmond Lighting (03 9429 4977)

Artwork By Owner

Joinery Kerby Kitchens (03 5243 3880)
Services

Heating/Cooling The Heat Shop (03 9314 7166)

Plumbing S&B Plumbing (0408 130 927)

Roofing Graham Evans Roofing (0418 136 282)

Electrical David Cairns, Psa Electrical (0414 366 064)

Painting Scott Bushell Painting (0438 524 833)

Plastering Dolliver Plastering (0417 869 061)

Timber Wall Cladding Frencham Cypress (Frencham.Com.Au, 03 5245 8004)

Written by Emma Wheaton

Photography by Sonia Mangiapane

Originally from Grand Designs Australia magazine, Volume 3 Issue 3

The post Grand Designs Australia: Sunny Sanctuary appeared first on Completehome.

As society changes, so do our housing needs. Factors such as the increasing cost of land and housing, a shortage of rental properties near the city, our ageing population, the increase of home-operated businesses and adult children living at home all play a part in the way we live and what we need from our homes.

Planning for these changing needs requires flexibility and lateral thinking to ensure each space can be adapted over time. You’ll need to make the most of the space you have and make every millimetre count, whether it’s as simple as installing built-in furniture or as complex as a major alteration and addition.

Before you buy your first home or complete your first renovation, it’s worth spending some time thinking about the future, such as where you would put a second bathroom and laundry and whether the site is suitable for a prefabricated addition. Think about rooms that could have multiple purposes, such as a baby’s room that could also be a study, a guest bedroom that could be a rumpus room, or a garage that could be a granny flat.

BUILT-IN FURNITURE

Having a place to put things at the end of the day (or at least at the end of the week) will make a huge difference to how you feel about your home, particularly if you have small children with a lot of toys.

A built-in window seat or sofa, with storage drawers underneath, is a great way to make use of otherwise “dead” space. A seat can be installed along a wall or under a window, and bay windows can be built into existing walls. Both will provide additional seating as well as storage.

Built-in wardrobes and storage units are worth the additional cost if you can have them tailored to the exact size of your room or under-stair space. You’ll get the storage you need and they will integrate well with the overall look and feel of your home.

It is worth remembering that kids’ bedrooms do not have to be big if they are well designed. Shelving, lighting and beds with integrated storage can be adapted as your children get older. As with all investments, it’s worth doing some homework first. Give thought to what you want to store, take measurements and get some drawings done.

ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS

When buying or renovating your home, you need to be careful about the location of the bathroom and laundry. Make sure they are in a position where they can stay. If you decide to add to the home in the future, it’s best not to have to move any space that requires plumbing.

If you plan to eventually add a second storey, it is worth deciding early where the stairs will go. You will require a minimum width of 900mm and a height of at least 3m for a straight run of stairs, and approximately 2x3m for a return stair with a landing, depending on the height between your floors.

If you are using an architect, it’s a good idea to look at different options for the future and get development approval for the whole scheme, including the future garage, cabana, pool or first-floor addition. You can then build in stages as your budget allows.

Be flexible and open to suggestions from professionals. Sometimes using space in an unconventional way will give you more for less. If there is ample roof space, for example, a mezzanine could be built and used as a rumpus room, study or guest bedroom. You’ll save money by leaving the existing roof intact. Ceilings over bathrooms and kitchens can be lowered to 2.2m, which will give you extra head height for the rooms above.

MODULAR AND KIT HOMES

With one in 10 workers operating from home and one in 12 employees working from home a couple of days a week, home offices are becoming increasingly important. There is also a need for additional accommodation for adult children (33 per cent of 24-34-year-olds still live at home) and safe accommodation for ageing parents.

Architects have tackled these challenges with good modular and kit homes, which are easily extended; you simply add more modules as you need them. The modules are a fixed size, usually determined by the method of construction or transportation used to get them to your site.

Christine McCorkell of The Backyard Room, which specialises in prefabricated home offices, garden rooms and studios, says times are good for the industry. “In the past five years, the Australian prefab homes industry has grown by almost 10 per cent as sea- and tree-changers, city slickers and apartment dwellers warm to factory-built housing,” she says.

Adding a new modular living room will allow you to convert your existing dining and sitting rooms to additional bedrooms, or you could install a kitchen and have your current one converted to a bathroom and laundry. Among the benefits of renovating this way is that you have much greater control over your budget. You’ll save time because large components are built off-site in a factory that also installs your finishes, fixtures and fittings. Most modules are designed to meet fast-track planning criteria so (ideally) the approval process will take just three weeks. You will also save money because features such as the structural frame, doors, windows, cladding and internal finishes are built with standardised components.

The Pod System, designed by architect Kim Crestani, has different modules including a living room and kitchen, garage and rumpus, a granny pod and a parent getaway. Architects Bill McCorkell and David Martin from ArchiBlox in Victoria also create compact extensions, starting at just 2.2×2.4m. These can be used as a home office, studio, guest room or teenage retreat.

Depending on your home’s access and location, these extensions will arrive on the back of a truck either fully assembled or as a flat-pack to be constructed on-site in a few days. The first option has an even faster turnaround, with only joinery and connection to utilities required once the extension is on-site.

THE PREFAB PROCESS

Prefabricated modules allow your existing home to remain untouched, which means you can live in your house while the extension is added. Key areas to consider are access to your site, planning requirements, and the position and orientation of the addition. Professional advice is usually available as an optional extra to the delivery and selection of the right product for your site.

Christine of The Backyard Room talks with her clients to determine the best design and sustainability options for them, including the size, budget and orientation of the addition. Then it’s down to details such as the choice of windows, layout, and inclusions such as plumbing and electricity. Backyard rooms come with a rooftop garden option, which has proved popular; it not only looks good and provides better insulation, it replaces the space in the garden that you’ve used up, thus maintaining biodiversity on the site.

A prefab addition is most cost-effective when it is built on a flat block and does not require modifications or changes. If you have a sloping block, you will probably need to retain part of the site to provide a level platform for the prefab home. Earthworks more than one metre deep and retaining walls higher than one metre usually require planning permission and you’ll need to get advice from a structural engineer. As with all building projects, do your homework first and get a full costing before you start.

By using architect-designed prefabricated homes or modules, you’ll get the benefit of a well-planned space, quality materials and detailing, and excellent environmental design — aspects that project homes typically neglect. The architect and builder will have collaborated to ensure the product satisfies design, environmental and aesthetic criteria, and is constructed with clever building techniques and appropriate materials.

For more information visit backyardroom.com.au, thepodsystem.com, prebuilt.com.au, maynardarchitects.com, quicksmarthomes.com.au

WORDS / Kristin Utz  Photography / Marian Riabic

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