A response to a request for a ‘box on the back’ renovation. Planning was driven by context, with cues taken from the rear laneway, the site’s east-west orientation, an adjoining neighbour to the south and the existing bones of the house. By retaining three existing rooms as bedrooms and a study, and re-establishing a hallway with services on the other side, the existing dwelling gave way to opportunities for communal spaces that were oriented to optimise the natural light of the site.

The kitchen and living area is small but functional, integrating within it a place for meals. The amalgamation of the dining table into the island bench creates a central hub to the home, which is orientated north and to the garden beyond.

Locating the parents’ quarters along the rear laneway gives some separation but also provides a lovely connection through the large sliding window, which fronts the study window facing east onto the central courtyard.