Architecture

Timber extension saves a shack and adds a view

Timber extension saves a shack and adds a view
Austin Maynard Architects crafted a timber box partly over the old shack but leaving the older home untouched
Austin Maynard Architects crafted a timber box partly over the old shack but leaving the older home untouched
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Australia's Austin Maynard Architects always manages to put its own spin on a project, which is the case with this renovation and extension of a beach shack
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Australia's Austin Maynard Architects always manages to put its own spin on a project, which is the case with this renovation and extension of a beach shack
Dorman House features polycarbonate sheeting to create a new bedroom
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Dorman House features polycarbonate sheeting to create a new bedroom
Dorman House is located in Lorne, Victoria
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Dorman House is located in Lorne, Victoria
Inside the ground floor of Dorman House
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Inside the ground floor of Dorman House
Dorman House is located in Lorne, Victoria
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Dorman House is located in Lorne, Victoria
In a bid to maximize energy-efficiency, Austin Maynard Architects ensured the double-glazed glass faces north and all windows are double glazed
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In a bid to maximize energy-efficiency, Austin Maynard Architects ensured the double-glazed glass faces north and all windows are double glazed
"There are too many beautiful old shacks being demolished, and Austin Maynard Architects won’t be part of it," says the firm
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"There are too many beautiful old shacks being demolished, and Austin Maynard Architects won’t be part of it," says the firm
Access to Dorman House's new extension is gained by spiral staircase
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Access to Dorman House's new extension is gained by spiral staircase
Austin Maynard Architects crafted a timber box partly over the old shack but leaving the older home untouched
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Austin Maynard Architects crafted a timber box partly over the old shack but leaving the older home untouched
Access to Dorman House's new extension is gained by spiral staircase
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Access to Dorman House's new extension is gained by spiral staircase
Dorman House's outdoor dining area
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Dorman House's outdoor dining area
Dorman House is very much the family home
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Dorman House is very much the family home
"We refused to have yet another Great Ocean Road shack sacrificed and replaced with a McMansion," says Austin Maynard Architects.
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"We refused to have yet another Great Ocean Road shack sacrificed and replaced with a McMansion," says Austin Maynard Architects.
In a bid to maximize energy-efficiency, Dorman House sports a hood above the northern windows to shield the extension from the harsh summer sun
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In a bid to maximize energy-efficiency, Dorman House sports a hood above the northern windows to shield the extension from the harsh summer sun
Inside Dorman House's new polycarbonate-clad bedroom
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Inside Dorman House's new polycarbonate-clad bedroom
Dorman House's ground floor polycarbonate-clad bedroom is a utilitarian space originally intended as a kid's playroom but the owners loved it and decided it could serve as their bedroom
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Dorman House's ground floor polycarbonate-clad bedroom is a utilitarian space originally intended as a kid's playroom but the owners loved it and decided it could serve as their bedroom
Dorman House's ground floor polycarbonate bedroom space can be opened to the outside with a sliding door
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Dorman House's ground floor polycarbonate bedroom space can be opened to the outside with a sliding door
Here you can see the wooden structural supports that elevate Dorman House's extension
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Here you can see the wooden structural supports that elevate Dorman House's extension
View towards Dorman House's new kitchen area
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View towards Dorman House's new kitchen area
View of Dorman House's dining area
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View of Dorman House's dining area
A wood-burning stove provides heat in Dorman House's extension
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A wood-burning stove provides heat in Dorman House's extension
Dorman House's new enviable view
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Dorman House's new enviable view
Austin Maynard Architects crafted Dorman House's timber box to weather with time
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Austin Maynard Architects crafted Dorman House's timber box to weather with time 
Dorman House features polycarbonate sheeting to create a simple and utilitarian space
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Dorman House features polycarbonate sheeting to create a simple and utilitarian space
View gallery - 24 images

Australia's Austin Maynard Architects always puts an interesting spin on its projects, which is the case with this renovation and extension of a beach shack in Lorne, Victoria. In answer to the question "how could we add a clear and elevated view of the ocean without demolishing, damaging or dominating our beloved shack?" the firm added a new timber living space next to and above the old building.

In Australia, as elsewhere, charming old beach shacks like this one, called Dorman House, are regularly demolished to make way for a new luxury pad. Predictable, given that the property market puts such a premium on location, but it's a shame to lose that history.

"There are too many beautiful old shacks being demolished, and Austin Maynard Architects won't be part of it," says the firm on its website. "We refused to have yet another Great Ocean Road shack sacrificed and replaced with a McMansion. We refused to be part of the slow erosion of the Great Ocean Road's collective cultural memory. "

Approached by a likeminded couple who wanted to upgrade their shack and get a proper ocean view without destroying its character, Austin Maynard Architects crafted a timber box and elevated it with wooden supports. The new space is poised partly over the old shack but leaves the older home untouched.

Dorman House's new enviable view
Dorman House's new enviable view

The extension is designed to weather with time and blend in with the original home, adding a kitchen, dining and living area, in addition to that all important view. Access to the new area is gained by spiral staircase and the original shack was largely left alone, except for a lick of paint, and transforming the original kitchen into a bathroom and laundry room.

Polycarbonate sheeting was used as an inexpensive cladding to surround the extension's timber support structure, creating a new utilitarian space originally intended as a kid's playroom, however the owners liked it so much that they decided to use it as their bedroom. Curtains, a sliding door, and other comforts were added.

In a bid to maximize energy-efficiency, Austin Maynard Architects ensured most of the double-glazed windows face north. A hood was also installed above the windows to shade the extension from the harsh summer sun. Finally, a large rainwater collection feeds the home's toilets and irrigation.

Source: Austin Maynard Architects

View gallery - 24 images
4 comments
4 comments
CAVUMark
The small 2 bedroom 1 bath beach houses in San Diego are torn down as well and up goes the lot line to lot line apartment. They are, for the most part, ugly with no character. Oh, and now we have 4 times the cars requiring parking.
Martin Allan
It's a wood burning heater not a stove. The oven is built in to the kitchen wall. Overall it's very well done.
ljaques
Beautiful reno. Love the kitchen cabinet fronts. Questions: How did they get that sofa upstairs with only a circular stairway opening? How do you re-roof with that living room cantilevered 4" over the roof? Where are the babyproofings, and who cleans all that glass after baby is done smearin' it up? <g>
Island Architect
Woah! Very nicely and sensitively done!!
To a small degree, it reminds me of Arthur Erickson.
A similar kind of ingeniousness. And much above the Neighbors.
Bill