Houzz Tour: A Glass Extension With Spectacular Views
A post-war beach shack has thoughtfully been extended to preserve its character while creating a 21st century home
“A couple of years ago [the owners] showed us around their beautiful beach shack and asked us how we could add a clear and elevated view of the ocean without demolishing, damaging or dominating their beloved shack,” says Andrew Maynard, co-director of Austin Maynard Architects. AMA’s answer was to craft a timber box that hovers independently above the existing house. Set back behind the ridgeline of the original property, it’s been designed to weather, grey and age, and merge back into the bush landscape.
The elevated extension contains an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. It sits atop a timber structure that accommodates the master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe. The original house has been tidied up and painted; little has changed otherwise, except for the old kitchen being transformed into a bathroom and utility room.
The size, scale and positioning of the timber box and its substructure are sympathetic to the original home, so as not to dominate it.
See more inspiring extension ideas and photos
See more inspiring extension ideas and photos
The new living space is behind the ridgeline of the old house. Lightweight polycarbonate clads the infill of the heavy timber structure below, allowing for a useable space without adding mass.
The new timber box is a large open space with a kitchen, dining area and living room accessed via a spiral staircase. It has a sunny, north and east aspect, and the open space allows for unimpeded sightlines through the room.
While the couple asked Austin Maynard Architects to capture the views, they also wanted to create a space not solely focused on the vista. “What could easily have been a white plasterboard box full of downlights is, instead, detailed and well considered,” Maynard says. “It’s a space that has character and responds to the seasonal changes and hours of the day.”
In using a palette of three materials, the team have created a unified and harmonious space that’s warm, welcoming and meticulously crafted. “In doing so, the interior does not fight for attention with the view,” Maynard says. Silvertop ash lines the walls, floor, ceiling and kitchen cabinetry and is punctuated by black steel and studs. The black stone splashback complements the steel and timber.
In using a palette of three materials, the team have created a unified and harmonious space that’s warm, welcoming and meticulously crafted. “In doing so, the interior does not fight for attention with the view,” Maynard says. Silvertop ash lines the walls, floor, ceiling and kitchen cabinetry and is punctuated by black steel and studs. The black stone splashback complements the steel and timber.
Set against the southern wall, with views north and east, the timber-clad kitchen is an integrated component of the interior space.
The lighting is evocative and controlled, so as not to compromise the view.
Bathyscafocus suspended fireplace, Focus.
Bathyscafocus suspended fireplace, Focus.
Maximising windows for views without compromising thermal efficiency can prove a challenge. the architects achieved this by using double-glazed windows with thermally separated frames.
A hood above the northern windows shields the interior from the summer sun while achieving optimal passive solar gain in winter. Full-height windows slide open for sea-breeze ventilation.
A hood above the northern windows shields the interior from the summer sun while achieving optimal passive solar gain in winter. Full-height windows slide open for sea-breeze ventilation.
A spiral staircase joins the new extension to the infilled space and original beach shack below. As with the upstairs, the interior of the ground floor is exceptionally well-crafted, with Silvertop ash lining boards and flooring, as well as hardwood portals and beams. The exposed bolts and fixing plates are honest and well-considered.
The master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe are located in the structure beneath the timber elevation, and there are two bedrooms, two bathrooms (one with a laundry area) and a second living room in the original house.
The architects carefully removed the existing external timber decking and relaid it internally. Newer timber boards were laid outside where, exposed to the weather, they create a cohesive continuation of the deck.
“As a result, the weathered timber floor inside appears as though it were always there, with the structure seemingly having been built around it,” co-director Mark Austin says. “It further retains and emphasises the charm of the original post-war timber beach shack.”
“As a result, the weathered timber floor inside appears as though it were always there, with the structure seemingly having been built around it,” co-director Mark Austin says. “It further retains and emphasises the charm of the original post-war timber beach shack.”
The couple originally envisaged the area beneath the addition as a rec room. However, they loved it so much, they decided to make it their bedroom.
“We added heavy curtains and huge sliding doors so the space could have as much light and openness as they wanted,” Maynard says. “They can leave it open on a moonlit night and sleep with the sea breeze rolling in, or close it up and curtain it into darkness for cool summer afternoon naps.”
Tempted by a mater suite? You might be able to squeeze one in
“We added heavy curtains and huge sliding doors so the space could have as much light and openness as they wanted,” Maynard says. “They can leave it open on a moonlit night and sleep with the sea breeze rolling in, or close it up and curtain it into darkness for cool summer afternoon naps.”
Tempted by a mater suite? You might be able to squeeze one in
The ivory-colored brick walls and flooring have a creamy, textured look and feel, while the fireplace adds warmth and glowing color. The polycarbonate lining allows for an abundance of natural light.
An architect from Austin Maynard Architects takes her son on a tour of the property.
The master bedroom opens to the outdoor deck area and is linked directly to the old house via sliding doors.
The master bedroom opens to the outdoor deck area and is linked directly to the old house via sliding doors.
This photo and following: Staff from Austin Maynard Architects discuss the work they did on this property.
Seen here, the deck is a place for the family to spend time outside.
Seen here, the deck is a place for the family to spend time outside.
There is a large rainwater tank that collects water used for the toilets and garden. Whenever possible, the architects hired local craftsmen and sourced local materials and fittings for the build.
An architect surveys the outdoor area from the porch swing.
In addition to the passive solar design and sustainability initiatives used throughout the house, the most sustainable factor is that the existing home has been retained. “It’s irrelevant how sustainable you make a new house if you knock down an existing structure,” Maynard says. “The carbon debt in the demolished house takes many decades to repay.”
What do you think of the way this home has been brought into the 21st century? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
In addition to the passive solar design and sustainability initiatives used throughout the house, the most sustainable factor is that the existing home has been retained. “It’s irrelevant how sustainable you make a new house if you knock down an existing structure,” Maynard says. “The carbon debt in the demolished house takes many decades to repay.”
What do you think of the way this home has been brought into the 21st century? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here A professional couple and their two teenage sons
Location Lorne, Victoria, on the southeast coast of Australia
Year built 2016
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Architects Austin Maynard Architects
Photos by Peter Bennetts
“The shack is located in bushland near the ocean along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, and it contributes to the popular imagery of the area,” Maynard says. “In the post-war period, many Australians aspired to own a bush or beach shack in addition to their suburban home, but today, sadly, we see the steady demolition of the modest and humble shacks.”
These owners instead chose an extension that preserves the beauty and history of the original house, but reworks it for a modern lifestyle.