A renovated 1920s weatherboard that showcases how effective space planning can keep the footprint tight but functional. The home also includes solar hot water, rainwater and untreated greywater for toilet flushing and garden watering.

The rear of the house was opened up to the north using doors and windows from the existing house. This allows light and warmth into the house during winter. The grapevine growing under the pergola provides shading in summer. The doors and windows were all reclaimed from the existing house; restored and reglazed using low E glass to reduce heat loss/gain. The step and planter box was constructed from Mod Wood which is manufactured from waste sawdust and resin and the patio was constructed from second hand bricks.

The dining space features internal rendered brick walls for thermal mass and the drapes are housed in a ceiling pelmet, proving that not all ‘drapes and pelmets’ have to look like boxes tacked onto the wall. The dining table was custom made from secondhand spotted gum and extends to seat ten people. A Sun Lizard solar heater pumps naturally heated warm air into the dining/kitchen and living during the day.

The kitchen was constructed using approx 80% recycled or secondhand materials. The kitchen cupboards are constructed from recycled plastic panel, the stainless steel benchtops are secondhand and altered to fit. The shelving unit is secondhand timber off-cuts, the floor was patched with secondhand Baltic pine to match. The breakfast bar is Nanna’s old kitchen table altered to suit the tall occupants. A new stainless steel oven and cooktop was installed — but the Kooka still works and remains as a much loved reminder of the history of the home. Light fittings that take compact fluoro lightbulbs were chosen.

Efficient use of space means our homes don’t need to be so large. The original laundry was reworked to create a second bathroom, with the front loader washing machine housed in a cupboard. The gecko glass shower screen is a fun focus in an otherwise highly functional space.