From the start of the project, a tangible connection to the rear garden was at the top of the clients’ wish list. This fluid transition from the living room is enhanced by ceiling height steel framed double-glazed sliders. Clerestory windows bring additional light in, and enhance the feeling of openness.
In Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne, a couple ventured to expand their modest-sized home, undoing a dated 1980s addition in the process. The immediate challenge of the project was that the home had been designated with a Heritage B grade, despite a lack of discernible architectural detail or historical character. This protection meant that any alteration or addition had to be at the rear of the structure, largely invisible from the street. Together with the client, Melbourne-based firm Jost Architects conceptualized a design that would comply with heritage requirements, add square footage, and meet the many functional needs of the residents. Before the team could proceed with their programmatic plan for the new space, an old addition had to be removed. With a final net gain of about 500 square feet, the home got more space, along with a much-needed improvement in layout and functionality.
