Sometimes less is more. When our clients approached us to help them renovate their double-fronted weatherboard, they were adamant they didn’t want extra rooms they wouldn’t use.

Instead, as well as refurbishing the front four rooms and bathroom, we were asked to design a communal space that would facilitate the congregation of family and friends.

The result is a modest yet highly efficient single story addition incorporating a family room, dining space, generous kitchen plus second bathroom/laundry.

For a family of passionate cooks, the kitchen is the most important space; its design reflecting not only how they cook, but their tendency to interact while doing so.

The focal point is a meticulously detailed square island bench or communal table. It’s almost a room in itself, highlighting its importance as a critical cog in the family’s day-to-day living.

Architecturally, the raked ceiling above the kitchen adds dramatic character and a nod to mid-century architecture, as well as natural light thanks to the generous clerestory window.