Jane McDougall and David Beynon didn’t quite know what to expect of life when they moved from their apartment in Melbourne to a standalone in Launceston, Tasmania. David’s new teaching position at the University of Tasmania, the reason for their move, meant that Jane, a generational Melbournite, would become the sole practitioner of the couple’s architecture practice, alsoCAN. It also meant that their new home would need space to host family, particularly their elderly parents, and friends coming from Australia and as far as the U.S.

The couple bought a 1920s California-style bungalow with apricot trees and an ample garden—a refreshing change from their inner-city apartment—that had a 600-square-foot shed in the back. It was previously used as a sleep-out, an outbuilding used to escape the heat before air conditioning became commonplace in Australia, but also held a garage/workshop, a derelict bathroom, and an outhouse (or a “dunny,” as they say in Australia). It presented the perfect renovation opportunity to create a guest suite; it also felt right given the couple’s architectural ethos, which emphasizes using space more effectively instead of expanding unnecessarily.

Even though the shed dates to the 1940s, its structure was sound (albeit a bit off kilter), so Jane and David preserved its layout and created a kitchenette with a living area, a bedroom, and a bathroom. A breezeway between the existing home and the suite now leads to the bedroom rather than directly into the bathroom and the dunny. The sleep-out was turned into the bedroom and new bathroom. The kitchen and living area—located in what was formerly the workshop—are at the back of the unit with its own entrance. In the living area is a queen-size daybed with a sliding door that can turn into a private space.

$2,925 Foundation	$19,199 Structural	$13,404 Wall Finishes
$2,238 Custom Woodwork	$3,559 Decking	$10,462 Roofing
$3,903 Electrical	$4,797 Plumbing	$2,447 HVAC
$2,399 Landscaping	$3,701 Kitchen & Bath Fixtures	$902 Lighting
$1,333 Cabinetry	$725 Appliances	$8,331 Doors & Windows
$6,503 Tilework	$19,891 Labor	$33,167 General Contractor
$113 Waste/Debris Removal
Grand Total: $139,999

Inspired by traditional metal Tasmanian sheds, the new facade is clad in FormFlow, a corrugated metal siding that bends 90 degrees to create a seamless wave at the structure’s corners. It was developed by a colleague of David’s, and according to the couple, the shed marks the first time anyone in Tasmania has used the product. “The disconnect between having this slightly wonky shed and this product that bends around corners is that it’s not very forgiving with being slightly out of alignment,” says Jane. Luckily that wasn’t a dealbreaker, thanks to a patient carpenter and no strict timeline or budget. Now with a translucent roof, the attached breezeway, once used as a garage, has been transformed into an insulated greenhouse-like structure.

Even though the shed’s “bones” were solid, a few updates to it ended up being one of the project’s biggest spends at $19,199. (All figures here are in USD). The existing windows were cut down to the floor and transformed into doors, which allowed the couple to avoid any work involved with adding lintels. Where Jane and David wanted windows, like the corner glazing by the daybed, they took inspiration from Frank Gehry’s California residence, cutting out the existing weatherboards while retaining the framing and exposing the timber studs.

Inside, the couple preserved much of the original weathered Tasmanian oak and, where necessary, augmented it with new planks. Preserving the aging rust and patina from the inside while adding a new roof and exterior insulated the shed while preserving its material character.

The bathroom is designed for accessibility, with high-visibility colors and a curbless shower with a bench seat and grab rails." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Anjie Blair" photoUserId="6896325420506030080"/>

Accommodations were made for David and Jane’s elderly parents, too. The shower is curbless, making for easy entry, and wood panel handrails flanked by motion-sensor lights are installed throughout the space. While specifically intended for David’s late father whose eyesight was deteriorating, today, the couple use them to stretch before heading to Tai Chi or contemporary dance classes.

“The kitchen is totally accessible. There’s a gap under the bench, which is slightly lower, so that you can check a wheelchair up to it. The sink is shallower, so that you don’t bump your knees on it if you’re in a wheelchair,” says Jane. The position of the open shelves in the kitchen and bathroom can be reached from a wheelchair, too. A talking microwave and a flameless induction cooktop add to the suite of accessibility features.

The bulk of the subdued color palette is formed by the concrete floors, the aged wood walls, and the patinated underside of the original metal roof. However, bursts of marigold and lime green tile, a color pairing chosen for its high contrast and visibility (another accessibility tenet) define the key areas: the kitchen, shower, and toilet. “The furniture is all very bright so you don’t bump into things,” says Jane, referring to pieces like the orange and green vintage chairs surrounding the dining table.

Between concerts, museum visits, and programming at Design Tasmania, the couple and their visitors are getting good use out of the new guest suite—and their adopted hometown. Their next visitor? Jane’s 91-year-old mom. For years she was against installing handrails in her own home, deeming them ugly and undignified, says Jane. But the ones hewn from Tasmanian oak in this guest suite are anything but.

A Seattle Couple Build Twin Backyard Offices for $51K—No Permit Required

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: alsoCAN architects

Builder: Minor Marvels Pty. Ltd

Photographer: Anjie Blair / @anjieblair

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Suite Shed