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An ingenious alternative wins recognition for taking home extension to a new level

The design brief
This family were considering how to create additional space and achieve a more open living area, a frequent request from residents of Sydney’s inner city suburbs. To increase their internal space the owner’s had accepted the inevitability of increasing their semi’s footprint and reducing their already small back yard.

The brief was to find significant additional space and maintain a good flow through their semi-detached house that had already had a second story extension.

The challenge
Long term residents invariably form entrenched architectural ideas when considering renovation options and their home’s extension. Striving to create additional space and an open-plan living area routinely suggests adding a floor and/or increasing your building footprint.

To increase the living area by anything approaching 50% mandated adding a third floor, neither the neighbours nor council planners would entertain increasing the building’s height. Without a cost effective ‘Plan Ahead’ alternative the family would face the expense and inconvenience of relocating.

Previous renovations had already added a second story extension, eliminating all chances of any similar expansion. Therefore the options apparent to the home owners to create additional space were restricted to further extension of both levels into the property’s limited rear garden.

It is often very helpful to liaise with home owners that have a well developed brief, and sometimes a basic design scheme. However, it is one of Plan Ahead’s most difficult duties to make suggestions in full knowledge that our recommended alternatives vary significantly from the owner’s designs and the ideas.
 
The planned solution
Plan Ahead Designs’ detailed survey of the original structure and existing second story extension revealed that the previous renovation work had created a significant architectural void between the house’s original ceiling and the extension’s floor level. Valuable space that had been wasted that could now be reclaimed and capitalised upon in Plan Ahead’s new renovation concept. Plan Ahead Designs quite radical approach broke with tradition to deliver this inventive ‘Gold Medal’ winning extension. By working creatively within the existing structure this alternative solution has fulfilled the owner’s living needs by cleverly constructing a three floor dwelling within the existing building’s envelope.

Plan Ahead Designs’ use of 3D architectural modelling software was to prove invaluable, not only during the home extension’s design phase, but as a critical presentation aid to owners, neighbours and council. Modelling of the dwelling made relaying what were unconventional concepts relatively swift and uncomplicated.

Whilst the increase in this home’s monitory value is a prominent part of the decision criteria, the ongoing wellbeing of occupants has an equally important role. Plan Ahead Designs’ expertise in understanding and assisting their client’s accommodation needs at each stage in their lives, is instrumental in achieving appropriate spatial and aesthetic architectural outcomes, whilst complying with council requirements, neighbours amenities and the owners finite budget.

The resulting outcome
Every house has the potential for further interior space, and there are multiple ways to redesign, renovate and extend a home. The best way to alter and improve its functionality is not always the most obvious approach.

Reclaiming lost space to create a third floor kept ceiling heights comfortable, plus relocation of the existing and previously proposed stairs to a central location improved flow and optimised space still further.

Plan Ahead Designs quite brilliant approach to solving this family’s space issues broke with tradition to create accommodation that capitalises on Sydney’s indoor/outdoor living.

This inventive award winning extension is the most recent of four that Plan Ahead Designs have delivered, a long standing creative association they are privileged to have with neighbours that all enjoy the results of planning ahead’s inventive approach.

To discuss your plans for a renovation or extension to accommodate your changing needs phone Rocco Raso at Plan Ahead Designs on 02 9314 0044, e-mail roc@planahead.com.au or complete the on-line enquiry right now.