A respectful two-storey extension to a Heritage blue stone cottage to accommodate a growing family and busy professionals. This project protects the value of the past, accommodates the present needs of a large family and looks to the future with treated greywater, evacuated tubes for solar hot water and rainwater collection. The final configuration of the house achieves five bedrooms, study, bathroom, ensuite, laundry, formal lounge, open plan living/dining and kitchen including walk in pantry - and YES it is under 220m2.

 The two-storey rear extension is respectfully located behind the existing cottage maintaining the heritage value and character of the property and the streetscape. Hebel power panel was used on the exterior wall construction and a highly efficient evacuated tube solar hot water unit is located on the roof but is not visible from the street. This supplies the hydronic heating system using heat exchange technology - three hydronic panels were installed to the new extension - only one was used last winter.

 The north facing extension allows natural light to flood the open plan kitchen/dining and living space. The windows and doors are double glazed to maximize light but improve energy efficiency. Ventilation is achieved with placement of southern openings. The kitchen is constructed from second hand Karri and includes a walk-in pantry. The floorboards are second hand Tasmanian oak and are laid over a concrete slab, allowing thermal mass to be introduced but providing for the aesthetic of a finished timber floor.

The northern external living space articulates to the kitchen/dining/living area; a cypress macrocarpa pergola with deciduous vines will provide shade to the external and internal living areas during summer but allow northern light during winter. Shutters and awnings provide for further shade to glazing as an alternative to eaves. You can’t see the 5,000 litres of rainwater as it is buried in the backyard, and the treated greywater system is hidden from sight but treats 1,000 litres of bathroom and laundry wastewater per day which is used to flush toilets and for garden watering.

  The upper storey balcony is nestled between the heritage roofs and new double storey extension. It is protected from western sun by the roofs and provides city views to the south and views across the adjoining park to the merri creek to the east. This balcony is part of the first floor parents retreat and allows fantastic ventilation to the upper storey during summer. The balcony is constructed from second hand Karri decking and second hand Oregon balustrades and proves that not all great living spaces need to be indoors.