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Sustainable Architecture and Space-Savvy Design Transform This Small Aussie Home

The idea of turning a dark terrace home in the suburbs of a bustling Aussie city into a modern home fit for its contemporary owners is nothing revolutionary in itself. But with the Imprint House in Alexandria, you have the added constraint of limited space, which makes the task ever harder. To get around these impositions, Anderson Architecture turned to sustainable architectural practices and space-savvy design ideas; a combination that has completely altered the aging and dreary old residence. With a new, second-story rear extension, space was enhanced and improved while the lower level floor plan was changed to give the interior a more vibrant appeal.

New rear second level extension adds space to the small house

With the new floor plan, the living area with kitchen and dining now sits at the rear and opens up to the small backyard. Space underneath the stairway has been turned into storage area and a tiny reading nook with a view of the world outside. Move above and you have the bedrooms on the second floor that feel spacious and well-lit. Taller ceiling on the lower level along with better ventilation also altered the mood of the interior considerably with planet-friendly additions making a big impact. Smart, stylish and eco-sensitive, this is a home that makes most of its limited resources. [Photography: Nick Bowers Photography]

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Tiny reading and sitting nook under the stairway
Bright and light-filled bathroom in white with wooden medicine cabinet
Gorgeous green backsplash for the kitchen in white and wood
Increase in height and smart shelving alter the interior of the house
Making use of the space under the staircase in more ways than one
Overhang created by the rear second-level additions provides shade to the tiny backyard

To make the home more comfortable in winter, we installed environmentally friendly hydronic heating through the new parts of the house and hydronic radiators to the old parts, fuelled by energy and cost efficient electric heat pumps. Provision for future solar panels was incorporated into the design of the roof, and a 2000L rainwater tank supplements the household’s water demands.

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Revamped home in inner suburbs of Sydney with a rear extension
Space-savvy design and smart storage units transform the interior of this relatively small Aussie home
First floor plan of the revamped terrace house in Sydney
Ground floor plan of the Imprint House

Sherry Nothingam

Sherry is a blogger who loves to live her life to the fullest. She enjoys everything associated with design, décor and stylish modern trends. Born in California, Sherry has grown up on open ranches and in a wild setting, which has defined her taste for design and developed her interest in examining how structures and homes interact with the beauti[...]

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