In Ivanhoe East, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, a sociable couple lamented that they didn’t have enough space to host their extended family and friends for home-cooked meals. To expand their two-story abode, they turned to Melbourne–based architecture and design firm Pleysier Perkins.

“Our design transformed the house into an ‘entertainer,’ with a generous kitchen/meals/living area, an outdoor kitchen under an operable roof, and a new lap pool,” says studio director and project architect Berit Barton.

At the heart of the commodious, open-plan addition is the kitchen, where cooking takes place underneath an L-shaped skylight that brings in the sunshine and illuminates the island and surrounding finishes.

Organically connecting to the terrace and garden, the versatile area was conjured by an 258-square-foot extension of the lower level. By maximizing the property’s sloping site, Pleysier Perkins didn't compromise any of the upper floor’s rooms.

Shop the Look

Demarcating this expanded entertaining zone is a custom steel facade, its contemporary black ribbing a textural juxtaposition to the house’s original brick exterior. This curved screen softens into a fence that hugs the new terrace and garden and shields them from the driveway, says Barton.

“Curved elements repeat throughout the design as a nod to the old house’s craftsmanship,” she adds, pointing to the fluted timber walls and screens that add warmth. “The original joinery had a few curves happening. We wanted to re-introduce some of these architectural features to keep within the character of the house.”

A curvy, Art Deco-inspired chimney stack and fireplace as well as ornamental wrought-iron railings were salvaged, and although the bungalow “showed good bones, we were not able to preserve all of it, as it was just not practical,” explains Barton.

" layout="" credit="Photo by Michael Kai" photoUserId="6133562573498179584"/>

Along with the expansion, the home also received a green upgrade. It now has insulation, double-glazed windows, and rooftop solar panels. Crowning the upper level is a garden and deck accessed via the new lounge or master bedroom suite.

Says Barton of the roof: “This parent’s retreat was not a must, but a welcome bonus. It invites sitting down with a glass of wine and watching the sunset over the leafy hills.”

Related Reading:

Soak In the Greatness of This Gorgeous Melbourne Addition

Vaulted Skylights and Concrete Columns Connect This Melbourne Home With the Sun

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Pleysier Perkins (Berit Barton, Nicholas Arthur) / @pleysierperkins

Builder/General Contractor: TCON

Structural Engineer: Vayco

Landscape Design: Andy Murray

Lighting Design: Lights & Tracks

Interior Design: Pleysir Perkins (Georgie Marks)

Cabinetry Design: COS Interiors

Also Appears In

A Post-War Bungalow in Australia Gains an Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment Hub