Northcote Residence IV is a warm, light-filled renovation and extension to a single storey, post-war cottage in suburban Northcote. Designed for a young family of four, the new extension subtly flows from the existing dwelling, maintaining a strong connection to the landscape throughout with courtyards and openings. The project is punctuated by top lit volumetric spaces, that frame and guide the occupants through the plan, while also providing privacy from neighbours and street.

The existing home was not functioning well, with dark living spaces and poor connection to the garden. The proposal maintains the position of the existing bedrooms and living room. A new powder room and bathroom have been accommodated in a new timber clad volume that extends northwards towards the boundary. The dark and dysfunctional extensions that housed the old kitchen was replaced with a new volume that contained the kitchen, dining, and service spaces.

The north elevation is articulated by two sculptural volumes, one clad in timber and the other in a ‘bagged’ render, and a terrace which is framed by a steel beam and rendered brick wall. The new volume was pulled away from the original house to allow for the insertion of planting to the north boundary and a courtyard to the south, in between the master bedroom and kitchen.