Previous pages: Two oversized dormers in the
roofline flood light into the living spaces of the
addition. In the background is the link to the
original bungalow, which now contains bedrooms,
a toilet and a sunny rumpus room for the kids.
Above and facing page: Architect Eva-Marie
Prineas’ design began with the premise that it was
better to spend the modest budget on creating the
best shell for the addition rather than on custom
joinery. The kitchen uses IKEA components –
designed to not look like flat-pack cabinetry
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into a lean-to on the back. While the lean-
to opened to a deck, this was roofed over
and enclosed by a fence, making it dark
and poorly connected to the large garden.
Prineas reconfigured the original villa
to house bedrooms, a kids’ rumpus room
and a toilet room. But it’s in the addition
at the back where her approach to quality
space becomes most apparent.
“Given the modest budget, we spent
the money on the shell – including over-
sized dormer windows to bring light in
through the roof, and the sliding glass
door panels to connect to the outdoors.”
Everything else has been kept as
simple – and economical – as possible.
With no budget for custom joinery,
Prineas relied on IKEA cabinetry, installed
into alcoves so they don’t look like flat-
pack. Plus, the addition’s concrete floor,
also functions as the structural slab.
The link between the old and the
new is also a cleverly designed structure,
including two lightwells to brighten the
master ensuite and a study, as well as
housing the laundry.