allan . curran . architects

This is a site full of history, on a narrow laneway and well away from public roads. There is a two-storey farmhouse and several stone outbuildings in various states of repair. The house and outbuildings hark back to an earlier time when this would have been a busy, working farm, and it’s easy to imagine the different activities that would have taken place here as the seasons changed every year.

Our clients have asked us to extend the house to add in a new living area. This is a site on which the buildings have evolved in response to need and changing purpose. We are keen to acknowledge the existing buildings but also to make a statement with the new addition too.

The extension closes the gap between farmhouse and outbuildings and affords the opportunity to relocate the front door, creating a focal point for the approach along the laneway. Closing the gap creates an irregular floor plan shape, nicely in contrast with the rectangular shape of the existing buildings. In addition, the extension encloses and defines the street in front of the house.

The roof over the single-storey extension will sweep upwards over the main outbuilding and extend to give shade from high summer sun.

Disused stone from old buildings onsite will be recycled into the extension, both inside and outside to strengthen the tie to the past and to help bed the extension into the fabric of the site.

Extensive glazing, level thresholds, and large doors will allow space to flow between inside and outside and take full advantage of both near and far views.