Thornbury House
The original house is a simple weatherboard bungalow with charming stain-glass windows and internal timber detailing. However, at the rear, an uninspiring renovation from a few decades past was not making use of the north-oriented rear yard. Our brief was to update the house to accommodate a young family and establish a richer connection with the surrounding landscape and garden.
Falling under a heritage overlay, the street-facing eleva on was le unaltered. The new addition to the rear was traced from the existing gable-fronted bungalow, with the roof pitch and ridge line precisely aligning with the original house - like a new extrusion from an old mould. While the language of the new addition is unmistakably modern, its outline anchors it to the established language of the house, allowing both elements to coexist within a single, unified form.
The overall addition to the footprint of the house amounts to no more than 25 square meters. The design was an exercise in efficienty spa al planning, integra ng spaces that feel open, connected, and highly functional. The services (bathroom, laundry and powder) are tightly planned while high raked ceilings in the kitchen, living, and dining areas add a sense of volume and openness, creating a spacious feel that belies the addition’s relatively compact size.
A large north-facing opening at the rear realigns the home with its outdoor environment while a translucent polycarbonate highlight window to the south brings in a so er glow. A key feature of the addition is the way it engages with natural light, infusing the interiors with differently tones and qualities throughout the day. A slot window above the dining area opens up views to the sky, while another window adjacent the living room bookshelves brings in warm a afternoon sun.
In designing the children’s bedrooms, we envisioned a layout that would foster both connection and independence. We introduced a small courtyard as a gentle divider between the two rooms, creating a shared outdoor space that serves as a peaceful retreat and a playful point of interaction. The courtyard is connected by a small timber bridge—a tac le, natural element that not only links theì two rooms but also adds an element of adventure to the children’s daily experience. This small courtyard also transforms the previously dark entrance hallway into now light-filled passage that feels lively and welcoming.
This project looks to the existing house in the spirit of continuity over distinction. However, the form and materiality as much arise through a need to accommodate fundamental quality es of dwelling – simplicity, natural light and a connection to landscape.
