COOGEE HOUSE

This project is a two-storey rear extension to an existing Edwardian semi-detached house in Coogee. The brief was to extend the rear ground-floor living areas and add a first-floor study, bathroom and bedroom above, whilst also bringing natural light into the dark centre of the western twin of the semi-detached house. 

This project is about apertures that catch both the morning and midday light and direct it deep into the dark centre of the house; new northern apertures focus the interiors back onto the garden and connect the living areas to the site.

The ground-floor extension consists of a simple, large open-plan room directly off the existing kitchen. New bi-fold doors connect this area to the outside garden. A simple translucent staircase runs along the western wall connecting the ground floor to the first floor.

A large east-facing clerestory story window is created above the entire western first-floor corridor zone, capturing the morning eastern light and directing it into the house via the void and stairs. A skylight directly over the void channels sunlight into the centre of the house at midday. The northern windows capture the northern light throughout the day

The stair is a light and airy element constructed from fine white-painted steel plate, allowing for the light above to flow downstairs.

Photographer- Sharrin Rees