Just like magic. Archisoul’s design for this California bungalow renovation vastly increased space within the home without extending or building up.
As with many older homes, this dated bungalow had plenty of charming period features but also the drawbacks of an earlier era. It was cramped and dark and much of the internal space was underutilised thanks to an awkward layout. Plus, after years on the rental market, it was somewhat rundown, needing both cosmetic and structural repairs.
Taking the bull by the horns, our clients decided that TLC would not be enough. The house required a total overhaul to bring it into the 21st century.
Archisoul was engaged to modernise the home while retaining its period character and optimising its saleability. Must-haves included more living and storage space, a generous kitchen and maximum natural light throughout the day. So far, so typical. But this project came with a unique challenge – the clients wanted to increase the floor space without impinging on outdoor areas and to keep the number of stairs to an absolute minimum.
So, building up and out wasn’t going to work. To create sufficient extra space, we had to extract the most utility out of every existing square metre.
The solution was a split-level design that extends the habitable area into the building’s undercroft space and reduces reliance on stairs.
Wasted space was eliminated with an open-plan Kitchen/ Living/ Dining area and extensive joinery vastly increased storage capacity. A north-facing courtyard set within the building envelope anchors the layout, delineating indoor spaces without enclosing them.
High ceilings and high windows draw sunlight into the heart of the house, increasing the Living area’s volume and sense of space. Meanwhile, the window-walled courtyard creates a light well, illuminating the home with natural light from dawn to dusk.
Light is always welcome, but the heat and glare from direct sun not so much. In this design, deep eaves modulate the indoor temperature, shading the building from high-angle summer sun while admitting the light and warmth of winter’s low-angle sun.
The result is a revitalised, high-performing home with much reduced energy needs for heating, cooling and lighting. It’s also far more comfortable and functional to live in. Our clients are absolutely delighted with their new home and so are we!
Project Team
Director – Jo Gillies
Project Lead – Russell Rice
Builder – Stanuga Built
Photography – Nat Spada Photography