How This Sustainable and Contemporary Extension Was Designed for Pizza Nights
How This Sustainable and Contemporary Extension Was Designed for Pizza Nights
3rd of February, 2023
When your architect centres the design of your home renovation around pizza, nothing can go wrong. Penny and Stuart, both avid cooks, wanted their home to be able to continue their passion for engaging with their community for pizza night while still being a quiet haven for their family.
"There was plenty to love about the existing house; we both really appreciate the charm of the heritage details." Says project architect Emily McBain of Breathe Architecture. "But the downside to that, like any old house, is that it was quite leaky and drafty, and just didn't perform very well."
Breathe Architecture sought to update the weathered Edwardian cottage, while maintaining the heritage charm. The loud 80s extension was removed, and in its place is a quiet, contemporary extension increasing the footprint of the original home by only 10sqm. In addition, the original cottage was reimagined to better use the generous room sizes, with the former living and dining transforming into a functional bathroom, laundry and secondary living room.
A timber-clad portal with bluestone flooring separates you from the heritage cottage and the modern extension, which opens up with vaulted ceilings as you walk through.
"I think one of the things that excited me the most was the buestone, because I grew up in Port Fairy." Says Penny, client and owner of Fireside House. "So using bluestone in the house was just a really nice connection to where I grew up."
FSC-certified timber blackhole blackbutt timber, formply and recycled Australian hardwood for the flooring provides a soft, textured and warm interior.
As a family that cherishes cooking together, Penny was initially hesitant to switch off the gas from the property. However, through further research, Penny followed Breathe's direction in having the home carbon neutral in operation by having an all-electric services system connected to 100% GreenPower and a 9.6kW solar PV array.
"It performs really well when I'm cooking. I haven't had one thing that I haven't been able to cook through having induction." Says Penny about their induction cooktop. "So I think that was a really good win for us in the end."
Fireside House takes the client's aspirations for a food lover's kitchen and outdoor area, and a desire to live more sustainably and marries them. The result is a quiet, considered contemporary extension that reduces its impact on the planet.
Designed by Breathe Architecture.
Videography, photography and words by Anthony Richardson.
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