As a couple in a suburb of Sydney, Australia prepared to start a family, they knew they had to expand their residence as well. Their 1920s property had a front facade that needed to be restored, and they didn't have direct access to their garden. That was just the outside of their semi-detached house — the pair also wanted a cohesive layout that blended the structure's historical roots with a more modern, colorful aesthetic. They found Matt Day of Day Bukh Architects, a small firm specializing in sustainable design, who devised a split-level plan for the small lot. He started by creating an open kitchen, living, and dining area at the garden level, and then continued upstairs with a master bedroom and nursery. And to really give the new addition a modern feel, Day outfitted it with timber-battened screens that beautifully contrast with the address's sharp black exterior. Lastly, in keeping with the firm's eco-friendly focus, Day also made a point of including energy-efficient appliances, rainwater storage, and east-facing windows for cross ventilation. All in all, the renovation tried to cover every last detail of the family's future, in the hopes that its newest resident would feel right at home.
Video of the Day