Any renovation is an opportunity to retain what you love about your home and improve what isn't working. But when you've lived in a house for a long time, it can be difficult to articulate exactly what you love about your house. Luckily for Shaun Lockyer Architects, his clients at Mountford Road in Brisbane had a clear idea of what they needed from a new addition, and what they wanted to retain from their existing home.
![Mountford Road addition is light, airy and connects with an established garden Mountford Road addition is light, airy and connects with an established garden](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-3.jpg)
Small But Dramatic
Mountford Road is a small addition in terms of footprint (just 42 m2) but what adds in terms of light, volume, ventilation and connection to the garden is dramatic…
![Mountford Road front and reconfigured entry Mountford Road front and reconfigured entry](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-4.jpg)
![Mountford Road reconfigured entryway Mountford Road reconfigured entryway](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-13.jpg)
Bell Brothers Home
The original home is a 1950’s post war house designed by the Bell Brothers -- a famous Brisbane family renowned for their furniture. The house was well built, prioritizing quality over sheer space.
![Mountford Road generous new living space Mountford Road generous new living space](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-2.jpg)
![Mountford Road a study desk overlooks the new double-height living pod Mountford Road a study desk overlooks the new double-height living pod](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-10.jpg)
A Generational House
The same family have lived in this house for years -- raising their children here and adding a couple of small extensions over that time. Recently retired and with a growing hoard of grandchildren, their needs changed once again and they asked Shaun Lockyer Architects to reconfigure and expand their beloved home for daytime living (with space for the grandkids).
![Mountford Road living area Mountford Road living area](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-5.jpg)
![Mountford Road light streaming in Mountford Road light streaming in](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-6.jpg)
Living Pod
A new living 'pod' was added to the house. With a small footprint but high ceilings, the pod grabs light from the North, encourages natural ventilation (thanks to louver windows) and creates a dramatic living space that connects to the established rear garden.
![Mountford Road high and low windows provide good light ventilation and privacy Mountford Road high and low windows provide good light ventilation and privacy](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-15.jpg)
Double-Height Pressure Realease
The living pod is designed as a double height, timber clad, extruded space. Punctuated by high and low north windows, it offers controlled views and free access to light and sun. The unusual placement of windows offers protection and privacy from a proposed neighboring extension. The extension's rear wall forms an aperture to a pre-existing established garden court, forming a rich but calm backdrop to the minimal space. The new, double height space provides a dramatic contrast to the existing low ceiling heights -- acting as a pressure release for the home.
![Mountford Road lounge connects to a south-facing courtyard Mountford Road lounge connects to a south-facing courtyard](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-1.jpg)
![Mountford Road South Facing Courtyard Mountford Road South Facing Courtyard](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-12.jpg)
Private Rihad
A slight reconfiguration of the other spaces in the house means a lounge area opens onto both the living 'pod' and onto a south-facing courtyard -- a favorite spot for the owners to sit on warm Brisbane evenings. The redesigned entryway provides controlled, private and secure entry into the 'rihad' or private courtyard via a redesigned entry (albeit in the original location).
![Mountford Road living area Mountford Road living area](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-7.jpg)
![Mountford Road living area Mountford Road living area](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-8.jpg)
![Mountford Road living area Mountford Road living area](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-9.jpg)
Complimentary Materials
New materials used in the project compliment the existing brick and timber home. The new pod is clad in weatherboards which are distinctly different to the existing weatherboards -- defining what is old and what is new. The extensive use of timber internally is a contemporary touch which draws a connection with the Bell Brother's fine craftsmanship.
![Mountford Road from the front at night Mountford Road from the front at night](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-16.jpg)
![Mountford Road at night Mountford Road at night](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-14.jpg)
![Mountford Road floor plan Mountford Road floor plan](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-plan.png)
![Mountford Road section Mountford Road section](https://media.lunchboxarchitect.com/fit-in/540x540/featured/mountford-road/mountford-residence-shaun-lockyer-architects-section.png)
Small but Intimate Project
"This is a small project but an intimate one. The outcome is a reflection of the client’s life, interests and passion. It is a house designed for family to gather, grand kids to play and friends to visit. The architecture is there to serve life's greater needs and the outcome is reward for the client's hard work throughout the process and more broadly, their lives. There is a real sense of joy within this project that we hope will resonate with all who should experience it for themselves." -- Shaun Lockyer Architects