Sustainable Extension For A 1960s Mono Pitch Roof House

A lot of times adding an extension to an existing house is a project more complex than initially anticipated. The challenge can be overcome through specific methods and using as inspiration existing projects such as this residence in Oakleigh. The house is located in a suburb of Melbourne, in Australia.

Lean To House pitch roof
The roof pitch of the extension is reminiscent of houses from the 1950s and 1960s
Lean To House wooden deck
The new living spaces open onto a large wooden deck towards the back

In 2016, the existing house which was originally built in the 1960s was extended and altered. The project was done by Warc Studio, a practice with a contemporary and sustainable design approach that allows each project to be shaped by the client’s specific needs and aspirations but also by the site conditions. The result is always a design that inspires and reflects the client’s’ lifestyle.

Lean To House glazed facade
The back facade is glazed and brings the outdoors in, revealing a view of the back yard
Lean To House large window
The public spaces are connected to the deck while the private spaces are towards the center of the building
Lean To House back facade
The back facade features a series of timber fins which frame the windows

The projects involved adding a new extension to the rear of the existing house as well as the alteration of the old spaces. The new living spaces were added to the back of the building, where the site forms a gentle slope. This section of the house is oriented towards East and benefits from lots of natural sunlight.

Lean To House timber fins
The timber fins are only stained and they maintain their natural look and texture
Lean To House dining area
The kitchen is positioned on one side of the extension and it shares an open floor plan with the living and dining spaces
Lean To House kitchen counter
The kitchen and dining areas are designed with light colors and natural wood accents

The total floor area of the extension is 182 square meters. They’re organized into an open floor plan which includes the kitchen, living area and dining space. The structure is compact but at the same time spacious. The new living spaces are connected to the old part of the house through a hallway and a plywood chute structure.

Lean To House interior sliding panel
A wooden sliding wooden panel similar to a barn door is installed on one of the interior walls
Lean To House brick wall
The rest of the spaces are organized along a hallway on the left side of the new volume
Lean To House hallway to social area
The hallway connects the social spaces to the study which is part of the existing house

The existing part of the house suffered a few major modifications as well. For example, the floor plan was restructured and the laundry room, study and bathrooms were refurbished. The study is directly connected to the extension spaces. As far as the general design strategy goes, the extension has a clean and simple look, with a set of timber fins that define the glazed facade and a cohesive interior decor.

Lean To House sliding barn door
The sliding barn door slides open and acts as a sort of interior windows between the spaces
Lean To House bathroom design
The bathroom has a slight vintage character, with a black and white tiled floor and a simplistic decor