Residential ArchitectureRenovation ProjectsAdditional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

Project: Additional Living Space Bent Annexe
Architects: BENT Architecture
Lead Architects: Paul Porjazoski, Lana Blazanin, Tilde Sheppard, Merran Porjazoski, Ian Wilson
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Area 207.0 m2
Project Year 2018
Photographer: Tatjana Plitt

Step out of your caravan into the shade and fresh air, protected by a canvas annexe which frames a view of the lush landscape beyond. This experience was the inspiration behind BENT Annexe, an addition for a delightful family of four and their two adorable Dachshunds. Because every day should feel like a breath of fresh air, surrounded by nature.

Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne 1

BENT Annexe adds additional living space to a 1960s home with a lot of charm, while also reconnecting it to the garden. In contrast to the heaviness and introspective nature of the original home, this new, light-weight and light-filled Annexe is open and outward-looking, feeling more like a sheltered place in the garden that a traditional living space.

Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

Carefully peeling away the ad-hoc additions to the rear, leaving only the generously proportioned rooms of the existing home, left a great base to start from. The Annexe tucks neatly under the existing eaves with new spaces wrapping around the original home, united by a continuous roofline which folds overhead.

Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

The original rooms of the home have been restored and revitalised to contain bedrooms, while a separate living area in the front room takes advantage of the existing corner windows and a feature fireplace.
Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

The new living areas hug the outdoors, giving the impression of a garden creeping inside. Brick walls to the east and west protect the open living spaces from leering neighbours to either side and focus attention back to the garden.
Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

The trick to make the Annexe feel like a part of the garden is creating green spaces on both sides, by separating the addition from the original home with a courtyard. Of course, the central courtyard improves cross-flow ventilation and lets north light into the master bedroom, but with full-height windows on both sides of the living area, it also creates the illusion of one continuous space, blurring the boundary between inside and outside.
Additional Living Space Was Added To This 1960s Home in Melbourne

A brick plinth in the living room – at just the right height for sitting – extends out into the garden. Brick paving also crosses the threshold between inside and out, further blurring the boundaries.
addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

A window seat pops out from the dining room to give the kitchen and dining light and views of the backyard. Casement windows open onto the backyard and the special seat is bathed in golden north light, making it the perfect spot to sit with a cuppa and a book.
addition and renovation / BENT Architecture
The Annexe spills outside onto a decked outdoor dining area, protected by a retractable shading device. With a circular plunge pool just a short dash away, this is the perfect place for entertaining and long summer evenings outdoors.

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

The home is passively designed to reduce the need for heating and cooling. High- level windows in the living area capture views of the sky and let north light deep into the home, warming the concrete floors for passive heating. Meanwhile, louvre windows can be opened up to encourage a breeze for passive cooling.

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

BENT Annexe fulfils a need for additional living space, but it also creates a home that feels like it’s a part of the garden, drawing adults, kids and dogs alike out and into the backyard.

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

addition and renovation / BENT Architecture

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