Rear extension with rooftop solar panels, corrugated steel cladding and a vine-trellis pergola over a native garden path

Wurundjeri Land | Reservoir

Maaemo

Maaemo (Mother Earth) is the name our clients adopted for their renovation early on in the design process, and it is with this in mind that we were inspired to create nurturing spaces for them. By using recycled materials, maximising northern light and providing strong connections to the outdoors, we were able to design a home that fosters family living with a sense of grounding and togetherness.

Featuring passive solar principles, soaring exposed rafters, plentiful natural light and a snug sunken living area, this home is comfortable, energy efficient and exciting to inhabit.

Our client’s passion for recycled materials is displayed throughout both the extension and the landscaping with recycled bricks, fence palings, doors and windows combining to form walls, paths, garden sheds, a chook house and garden features.

By separating the extension from the existing house, we were able to allow northern sun to penetrate deep into southern living areas to ensure the homeowner’s comfort and the energy efficiency of their home. Northern eaves and external blinds temper the sun throughout the seasons, while openable glazing maximises cross ventilation to help catch the cooling breezes in summer.

The kitchen, complete with plentiful storage and a walk in pantry, forms a link between the old house and the new extension, stretching seamlessly into a study desktop and the dining area. From here, exposed rafters run from inside to out, enticing the family towards a beautiful deck and pergola entangled in vines and nature.

A servery window and bar tie the kitchen to a protected central courtyard, allowing a seamless flow between indoors and out, while further providing for sunny outdoor living and natural lighting, heating and ventilation.

A few steps access a sunken living retreat nestled amongst the garden and northern deck. Here, an exposed concrete floor absorbs the sun’s warmth to provide passive heating in winter and cooling in summer.

‘Back to basics’ passive solar design principles, natural materials and colours, and a nurturing and beautiful garden all combine to ensure Maaemo and its family will always be grounded with ‘Mother Earth’.

Awards:
Winner — 2021 Design Matters: Residential Small Home Dwelling Up to 150 sqm
Winner — 2021 Design Matters: Alterations & Additions $350,001-$800K
Winner — 2021 Design Matters: Residential Outdoor Space

A parent and child at the open glazed doors beneath the timber pergola, framed by the recycled brick gable wall

Side view of the timber pergola's wire trellis for climbing vines, beside the brick extension's glazed gable end

Bathroom with a geometric patterned floor, freestanding bath, walk-in shower and a timber vanity with a stone vessel basin

Living room with exposed raked timber rafters and a ceiling fan, opening to garden views on both sides

Dining table centred beneath a full-height triangular gable window, with the kitchen's exposed timber rafters above

Repeated gable-form timber pergola trained with climbing vines for seasonal shading, leading to a recycled brick extension

Central courtyard with decking and recessed planter

Kitchen connected to open plan dining, study and living

Split-level living space where a timber stair steps up from the sunken concrete-floor lounge to the raised timber-floor kitchen

Kitchen shelving detail with cookbooks and trailing plants above a patterned tile splashback and navy joinery

Kitchen island bench opposite a servery window with views to garden beyond.

Open-plan kitchen and living space stepping down to a sunken nook, with glazed doors opening onto the deck

Symmetrical view through the pergola and brick gable entry into the kitchen and dining space beyond

sunken living space with cross ventilation, carpeted flooring, navy cabinetry and garden connection

Timber deck beneath the vine-trellis pergola, looking into the dining room through open glazed doors in the brick facade

The Collective:

Bond Building Group - Builders
ZS Consulting - Structural Engineer
Filter ESD - ESD Consultant
Emma Cross photographer - Photography

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