A Cramped ’90s Kitchen Becomes a Melbourne Family’s Favorite Gathering Space

The last thing they wanted was to build further into their treasured backyard, but a couple with two sons were eager to find more space in their modest Edwardian. After talking with Sarah Kahn Architect, they found a solution to have the best of both worlds.

Kahn left the original home untouched, instead focusing on the renovation of a 355-square-foot addition at the rear that wasn’t meeting its potential. "The existing house already provided generous bedrooms and a cozy living room," she says, "but the tired ’90s addition, housing the kitchen, lacked light and volume." The kitchen was also blocked off from the sunny backyard.

The new addition, which remains at 355 square feet, is defined by a dramatic raked roof, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glazing that opens onto the garden. It feels spacious, and all without having had to expand the footprint, which allowed the family to preserve their backyard oasis.

Now they can all cook and gather in the kitchen at once and the space never feels cluttered. An island set on casters can be set aside, and full-height plywood cabinets conceal the fridge, pantry, and additional storage.

The warm timber palette is a welcome departure from the rest of the home. "After the long walk from the front door through the all-white house, with it’s ‘frilly’ original period details, it’s a pleasant surprise," says Kahn.

Through careful consideration of the home’s footprint and existing program, a full bathroom, powder room, and study were incorporated in the space adjacent to the kitchen and dining room. The study retains an original corner fireplace, a touch of historic character within the new addition that now serves as the heart of the home.

Related Reading:

A Jewel Box Home in Melbourne Gets a Minty-Fresh Kitchen With a Cat Door

In Melbourne, a Retired Couple’s Weatherboard Cottage Gets a Luminous Extension

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Sarah Kahn Architect / @sarahkahn.architect

Builder: PM&R Constructions

Structural Engineer: Keith Long & Associates