Outdoor 'Rooms' Create the Perfect Breakout Zones for This Home

Cumquat Tree hosue by Christopher Megowan Design

In Christopher Megowan Design's renovation to an Art Deco home in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Caulfield, the interiors of the existing house were reordered to create a new central spine which culminates by framing a view of an existing and prolific cumquat tree at the rear of the property...

Cumquat Tree hosue
Heritage
Cumquat Tree hosue
Timber Floors

Key to the success of this design was the creation of two outdoor rooms which straddle the living and dining spaces of the home.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Outdoor Areas, Black Kitchens, Timber Floors, Pendant Lighting, Kitchens, Dining Areas, Clerestory Windows
Cumquat Tree hosue
Timber Floors, Pocket Doors, Kitchens, Dining Areas, Rugs, Lounge Suites, Clerestory Windows

To the east, a decked 'room' has been designed to not only allow northern light into the rear extension but also transform into an outdoor cinema through the clever integration of a double-sided projector screen in the window opening of the internal home theatre.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Black Kitchens, Timber Floors, Kitchens, Dining Areas, Clerestory Windows
Cumquat Tree hosue
Black Kitchens, Timber Floors, Pendant Lighting, Sliding Glass Doors

To the west, a second and larger outdoor room connects to the living spaces via a large bifold door and double sided indoor/outdoor fireplace.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Timber Floors, Kitchen Cabinets, White Kitchens, Pendant Lighting, Folding Doors, Kitchens, Dining Areas, Lounge Suites
Cumquat Tree hosue
Fireplaces, Outdoor Areas, Timber Floors, Timber Deck

A substantial polished concrete island bench anchors the kitchen to the living areas, serving as a transition point between the two outdoor spaces. The play on room interfaces is continued between the kitchen and rear butler’s pantry with a retractable glass splash-back providing an efficient means of screening the service area.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Bedrooms
Cumquat Tree hosue
Bedrooms

The heaviness of the island bench is balanced by raised ceilings and continuous clerestory windows to the north, east and west which allow ample northern light deep into the living spaces throughout the day.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Joinery, Bathrooms, Basins, Toilet Suites
Cumquat Tree hosue
Pendant Lighting, Bathrooms, Showers, Basins, Toilet Suites

Additional features include large pocketing sliders throughout the house which allow the dwelling to be zoned for both flexibility of use and heating and cooling.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Joinery, Basins
Cumquat Tree hosue
Outdoor Areas, Timber Deck, Folding Doors, Steel Cladding

The Art Deco influence of the original home is referenced in the toothed brick driveway and paving, with orange-hued timber accents drawing a connection to the original terracotta and brick accents both inside and out.

Cumquat Tree hosue
Fireplaces, Outdoor Areas, Timber Deck, Folding Doors, Steel Cladding
Cumquat Tree hosue
Timber Houses, Outdoor Areas, Timber Deck, Sliding Glass Doors

The colour of the cost effective, yet striking sheet metal cladding at the rear is referenced in the guttering and spouting of the original home at the front. These palette references allow for a dialogue to exist between old and new and ultimately allow the renovation to stitch into the original structure in a contemporary yet complementary way.

Cumquat Tree hosue
House Plans

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