By Chan Architecture
This project involved renovating and extending a Californian bungalow in Canterbury, Melbourne. The existing house was a collection of a number of small rooms with little practical or visual connection, including a formal dining, formal living room, and a small central kitchen leading to an add-on sunroom at the back. The challenge was to create a central family room area that linked all the rooms together, bringing light and space into the house. This family room was to incorporate a new kitchen, dining, and living room all connected via an open stair.
The approach was to carve out the family room from the existing house and extend it towards the rear of the house. This incorporated a double-height void, which allowed light into the centre of the house as well as the first-floor hallway, thereby linking the family room with the bedrooms upstairs. This void had openable skylights at the top which also allowed hot air to be expelled out through the middle of the house.
The extension also incorporates a semi-basement level, exterior deck, and an inground swimming pool to the rear. Linking all three levels is an open, central staircase that allows direct access to all the spaces and also adds an architectural feature to the space.
There were also numerous site constraints, including a steeply sloping site, sandy soil conditions, and an existing house in original condition from the 1930s.
There was a strong emphasis on sustainability in this project, incorporating passive solar principles, natural ventilation, PVC double glazed windows, solar PV panels, solar hot water, and solar pool heating. All Australian native hardwoods were also used in the project, including spotted gum flooring, and victorian ash handrails, and timber screens.
Photography: Folded Bird Photography
Our Practice
Chan Architecture is boutique, award-winning Melbourne-based architectural practice with a strong focus on design. Our philosophy is to create design-oriented, client-focused buildings that are both beautiful and sustainable. We also have a strong appreciation of our client's needs and see each project as a close collaboration between client, architect, and builder.
We see our role as the principal project consultant, providing not only high-quality design and documentation, but also managing and coordinating all other consultants, authorities, and builders to ensure we all work towards a successful outcome.
Chan Architecture has completed a number of successful residential projects across Melbourne, including renovations and extensions, new houses, and multi-unit developments.
Our team is experienced, innovative, and committed to achieving an outstanding result for every project. Just as importantly, we treat every project whether small, large, simple, or complex with absolute commitment and dedication. We are determined to ensure that the completed design and built project satisfies all the client's needs, objectives, and aspirations.