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houses Photography by Peter BennettsSeeking to cater to the changing needs of growing children, but wanting to retain their gorgeous inner-city home, these clients received a unique solution to a common problem for young families.

HOUSE REDUCTION //

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This gorgeous double-fronted Victorian weatherboard home deserved more than a simple tacked-on box to extend the space and ensure a comfortable living environment for teenage boys, and this renovation certainly fits the bill.

Rather than extending the footprint of the existing house – often the first point of action in contemporary renovations – this innovative design actually reduced the internal footprint. Examining the way smaller spaces and multi-functional rooms could be implemented to provide the growing family with the space they needed, this innovative, transitional design is flexible, providing private and communal spaces and leaving as much outdoor space as possible.

Only minor alterations were to be made to the charming façade. This elegant historical exterior gives way to new bathrooms, a new kitchen, living areas and an exterior deck. It also offers space for parental retreat, though the open design encourages congregation.

The house was given more space by extruding the double-hip roof form to the rear. External screens were implemented to provide flexibility, allowing the

living space to expand and contract as use and climate dictate. The screens also protect the house from the busy road behind the property, and can be shifted to shade the house in summer. Built in daybeds and joinery maximise the efficiency of the house and provide wonderful places to sit and enjoy the sun.

The deck area is key to the design. The screens and covered polycarbonate roof maximize the use of this space throughout the year. A television on a pivot hangs in the lounge room, so the boys enjoy being able to watch cricket on TV while still using the outdoor space. The built in daybed in the kitchen area is a great place to hide away and relax; protected enough to be a comfortable place for a quiet read but connected enough to ensure you are still part of family life, this annexe is like a room within a room.

MAKE architecture studio2 Hodgson Street, Kew VIC 3101Telephone: 03 9853 4730www.makearchitecture.com.au