This small residential alteration and addition is located in St Kilda East. A diverse residential area with three storey units to the rear facing east and narrower mainly single storey Victorian town houses to the south many altered or removed over successive years providing a mosaic of differing housing types. To the north and west is a collection of dwellings of similar period to the project site which is a semi-detached 1930s residence with limited space and an overlooking block of flats. The program brief was for a growing family included creating new living and outdoor spaces and an upgrade to kitchen and bathroom. All new areas have been contained mostly within the existing building footprint with only a minimal encroachment onto outdoor space and garden areas. An old garage was partially demolished to incorporate a new north facing living room with full height double glazing opening out onto an enclosed courtyard.

Rainwater storage and a kitchen garden provide a functional focus to this 'outdoor indoor' living area with water saving fixtures and solar hot water also incorporated. There is a robust expression of materials; rendered plaster walls in the old house leading to a more vibrant palette of painted walls, steel framework and hoop pine plywood panels in the new addition. The concrete floor, saw cut and clear sealed, extends outside to enhance the extent of space and reorient outdoor views. A steel framed transparent link permits further natural light into the existing dwelling, in contrast to a more enclosed and introverted timber clad box; the bathroom and bedroom addition to the south. This black timber box sliding out underneath the existing roof line reveals a hint of the alteration to the observer on the street. Site Allotment Area 252 m² Building Area Existing House Area 101.5m² (+35m² Garage) New House Area 145.9m²