Home is where the heart is

 

Our good friends, a couple who are planning their retirement life, Nelson & Coco, are true soulmates to each other. They hope to create as many wonderful memories as possible with their family before their children grow up and leave the nest. Therefore, they have decided to move out of their usual apartment, purchase a house in Epping, and transform it into their dream home.

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To meet their financial planning needs, the WWAA team suggests integrating design with financial planning and carrying out the construction in two phases, gradually realizing their dreams:

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1. In the first phase, the WWAA design team will reconfigure the existing residential layout and upgrade the master bedroom with an additional bathroom to create an ensuite. This way, the clients can move in as early as possible and make full use of the majority of the existing space.

2. In the second phase, the team will temporarily divide the rear half of the living room and kitchen with a partition wall, remove the narrow and asbestos-contaminated living space, and extend it backwards and downward. They will construct a rear door entrance, a courtyard, a beverage counter, a dining room, a double-height living room, a study/guest room, and a bathroom.

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Considering that the increased length of the house after the extension may result in insufficient natural light in the middle area, the design incorporates a courtyard as a source of natural light and a transitional space between the old and new areas. Additionally, the courtyard serves as a landscape feature for the rear entrance and creates a framed view for the beverage counter and dining area. The clients are amazed by the ingenuity of this courtyard. Coco expresses her anticipation of planting seasonal plants in the courtyard, envisioning being able to see the sky and experience the changes of the seasons within the house. It is a privilege and a spatial experience that is difficult to obtain in a typical apartment.

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Another stunning feature that captivates the clients is the gable roof structure and double-height design of the living room. Previously, the living room was disconnected from the backyard due to the level difference. However, the design team decided to follow the topography and connect them through a double-height space. By raising the ceiling, exposing the roof truss structure, and incorporating large windows, the interior receives natural light and views from the backyard. Along with the consistent indoor timber flooring and an outdoor platform at the same level, the interior space extends outward, seamlessly blending the living area with the outdoors.

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These design techniques not only give the new space a unique appearance and charm but also create spatial tension and dialogue between the old and new buildings. Nelson expresses that seeing the renderings of the transformed space gives him a feeling of excitement, like meeting his first love~

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Upon completion of the design, the design team and the clients eagerly envision the future where this new space will become the perfect gathering place, where family and friends will create wonderful memories.

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Nelson and Coco believe that this dream home will be the place where they can fulfill their dreams and establish a sense of family belonging, marking the beginning of a new chapter for their family!

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