BENT Annexe

The brief for the project was to renovate and extend an existing 1960s home, transforming it into a larger, light filled and practical home for a delightful family of four and their two adorable Dachshunds. Our clients were keen to maintain the integrity of the original house but wanted it to express their love of contemporary design and the outdoors. The design of the garden was to be critical to the success of the enjoyment of the house and its interiors. Recycled materials and objects were re-purposed for incorporation in the new work.

The main challenge of this project was set from the outset: to transform a dark and introspective 1960s house into a light-filled, outward-looking home which feels more like a sheltered place in the garden than a traditional living space. While opening out, views to adjoining properties were to be obscured to create the overall effect of garden and greenery.

Exterior Wall Linings and Cladding:
‘La Paloma’ bricks by Austral Bricks (tel. 9303 4000) in colour ‘Gaudi.’
‘DesignAclad batten 55’ sawn face Kiln Dried Cypress ship-lap wall cladding by Frencham Cypress
James Hardie ‘Scyon Matrix’ external facade system
120 x 19mm dressed KDHW (blackbutt or approved equivalent) ship lap cladding to external wall areas

Exterior Soffit Linings:
40x32mm dressed KD Blackbutt battens with pencil round edges by Urban Salvage (tel: 9391 0466)
12mm thick A-A grade marine plywood lining by Gunnersen

Roofing:
Lysaght ‘Custom Orb’ roofing in colour ‘Monument.’

Interior Wall Linings:
100mm wide x 12mm thick recycled re-milled messmate T&G lining boards by Urban Salvage
9.5mm thick ‘Easy VJ’ MR MDF v-groove sheet cladding by Gunnersen
Innovations ‘Yesterday’s News’ wall covering in colour ‘#YN-106 Tribune’ by Instyle

Interior Wall and Ceiling Linings:
De Ploeg ‘Polder 01’ fabric by Svenska KJ

Interior Wall Tiles:
200 x 800mm ‘Domes’ patterned matt porcelain tile in colour ‘Ice’ from Perini Tiles
100 x 100mm ‘Alaska White-61 Matt’ ceramic tile from Classic Ceramics
25 x 25mm ‘Seta Appiani’ mosaic tile in colour ’01 Ghiaccio’ from Classic Ceramics
25 x 25mm ‘Seta Appiani’ mosaic tile in colour ‘10 Olivia’ from Classic Ceramics.
23x23x7mm unglazed Shape Mosaic tile ‘78522’ from Academy Tiles
65 x 266mm ‘Genesis Anthracite Wall - Matt’ subway tile from Ital Ceramics
100 x 300mm ‘MC 9008 - Matt’ subway tile from Massa Imports
15 x 15mm ‘Gem Peridot/61’ mosaic tile from Classic Ceramics

Floor Tiles:
25 x 25mm ‘Seta Appiani’ mosaic tiles in colour ’01 Ghiaccio’ from Classic Ceramics
25 x 25mm ‘Seta Appiani’ mosaic tile in colour ‘10 Olivia’ from Classic Ceramics
‘La Paloma’ bricks brick paving by Austral Bricks in colour ‘Gaudi’.

Floor Linings:
95x19mmT&G re-milled recycled messmate boards by Urban Salvage
‘Garden’ range carpet from Edwardstown Carpets in colour ‘Pomegranate 0028’
‘Residence’ range carpet from Edwardstown Carpets in colour ‘0094 Ninety Four’
135x19mm re-milled recycled ironbark decking boards by Timber Zoo

Other:
Above ground Aquaslim Squared 5008 rainwater tank by Slimline Rainwater Tanks

Our conceptual starting point for the project formalised our solution to this challenge: Step out of your caravan into the shade and fresh air, protected by a canvas annexe which frames a view of the lush landscape beyond.

BENT Annexe adds additional living space to a 1960s home with a lot of charm, while also reconnecting it to the garden. In contrast to the heaviness and introspective nature of the original home, this new, light-weight and light-filled Annexe is open and outward-looking, feeling more like a sheltered place in the garden than a traditional living space.

Carefully peeling away the ad-hoc additions to the rear, leaving only the generously proportioned rooms of the existing home, left a great base to start from. The Annexe tucks neatly under the existing eaves with new spaces wrapping around the original home, united by a continuous roofline which folds overhead.

The original rooms of the home have been restored and revitalised to contain bedrooms, while a separate living area in the front room takes advantage of the existing corner windows and a feature fireplace.

The new living areas hug the outdoors, giving the impression of a garden creeping inside. Brick walls to the east and west protect the open living spaces from leering neighbours to either side and focus attention back to the garden.

The trick to make the Annexe feel like a part of the garden is creating green spaces on both sides, by separating the addition from the original home with a courtyard. Of course, the central courtyard improves cross-flow ventilation and lets north light into the master bedroom, but with full-height windows on both sides of the living area, it also creates the illusion of one continuous space, blurring the boundary between inside and outside.

A brick plinth in the living room - at just the right height for sitting - extends out into the garden. Brick paving also crosses the threshold between inside and out, further blurring the boundaries.

A window seat pops out from the dining room to give the kitchen and dining light and views of the backyard. Casement windows open onto the backyard and the special seat is bathed in golden north light, making it the perfect spot to sit with a cuppa and a book.

The Annexe spills outside onto a decked outdoor dining area, protected by a retractable shading device. With a circular plunge pool just a short dash away, this is the perfect place for entertaining and long summer evenings outdoors.

The home is passively designed to reduce the need for heating and cooling. High- level windows in the living area capture views of the sky and let north light deep into the home, warming the concrete floors for passive heating. Meanwhile, louvre windows can be opened up to encourage a breeze for passive cooling.

BENT Annexe fulfils a need for additional living space, but it also creates a home that feels like it's a part of the garden, drawing adults, kids and dogs alike out and into the backyard.