"Can we fit a small house for my parents in the backyard?" That was the question that kick-started the design and construction of Back House. Tan Architecture prove you can create a compact family home design that fits in the backyard...
"We set aside 69m² of the yard for the new dwelling, and devised an efficient layout occupying 58m² over two stories", explains Jos from Tan Architecture.
Finding ways for multiple generations to comfortably live together is an increasingly common design challenge for architects. It's important to balance public spaces and private spaces; finding ways to come together, but also to retreat. It's also important to ensure that each generation or family unit has a sense of autonomy and independence.
Built at the rear of the site, the new home has its own laneway access in addition to the council-required pathway to the front of the lot. This is one way to ensure each generation has a sense of autonomy and independence.
To ensure the new home has a sense of privacy, the new downstairs living area opens onto a private, sunny courtyard. Large, sliding glass doors allow the living spaces to open seamlessly to the outdoors and allows the otherwise narrow living area to 'borrow' space from the outdoors, helping it to feel more spacious. The result is a home that 'never felt small', according to its occupants.
Upstairs, the bedrooms and bathroom have carefully considered windows which allow light and views without creating overlooking issues. Importantly, every upstairs room has a clear and openable that doesn't require obscure glass to meet the overlooking regulations. This is especially evident in the bathroom where a casement window is able to open into an alcove to ensure the bathroom has natural ventilation and light with no chance of anyone spotting grandma in her birthday suit. A similar strategy in the bedroom sets the window back into the wall so that view lines are restricted without sacrificing light, views of the sky, and ventilation.
Despite the compact footprint, the architect grabbed some additional space for the upper level by cantilevering rooms over the lower level. The added benefit is the cantilever creates the perfect overhang for shading the north-facing windows of the lower level. Similarly, the roof is sloped up from the north side to give extra volume to the upstairs spaces while also minimising the visual bulk from the street and the existing home. The added benefit is this slope is ideal for solar panels, helping them to maximise their gain. "The building was set back on the west boundary to minimise overshadowing of the neighbour’s yard," explains the architect, "and a roof garden was inserted within the setback to further soften the view from the north."
The house requires minimal heating during cooler months. The well-insulated home absorbs sunlight from the large north-facing sliding glass doors and stores it in the thermal mass of terrazzo-covered concrete to keep the internal temperature moderate, even during Melbourne's chilly winters.
"Construction of the house was undertaken by the owner’s family, including selection of fittings and finishes. Having a skilled carpenter in the family was an added benefit, producing beautiful details like the custom joinery handles. It was a joy to witness the project's completion, and to see the family’s unique touch in the end result."
To that point, just because this is a compact family home design doesn't mean it lacks a shed! "Along the west side, a covered outdoor storage area conceals a workbench", explains the architect.
So, the answer is, yes, you can fit a small house for your parents in the backyard! And, just because you only have 69m² of land to spare, doesn't mean you can't create a fabulous, compact home design that feels much larger than its actual floor area. Now, this multigenerational family can live in harmony; close to each other, but with their own private spaces. They can live together, but apart, with independence and autonomy, the secret to successful multigenerational living!
