The Preston House has transformed an inter-war era weatherboard bungalow, balancing heritage preservation with modern design.

The existing house was charming but inefficient and dark, with a rabbit warren layout. The alterations and additions create a more logical, open, comfortable and well utilised space for our growing family without sacrificing the home’s historic charm. There was nothing preventing us from bowling over the existing 1920s era weatherboard home and starting again (no heritage overlays) but we liked the subtle charm of the stain glass windows and large gable facing the street, the large front porch and high decorative ceilings. It made sense to us to keep the front, original part of the house and replace the utilitarian lean to at the back. But we wanted the extension to be contemporary so I spent considerable time designing that transition from old to new – decorative skirtings, archs and cornices of the front to minimal square set ceilings and door frames and recessed skirting; panelled doors to flush panel doors; timber framed, stain glass windows to aluminium framed double glazed windows. I avoided using expensive, showy materials, opting instead for traditional materials like timber cladding, painted cement sheet and brick. I composed these materials though in a considered and thoughtful way, to elevate them from looking common. The new extension to the rear of the existing takes up about the same area and the original leanto did; this was done deliberately so as not to consume too much of our precious back yard. We wanted to make the most of smaller spaces and living within our means. The combination and composition of materials & colours, coupled with different volumes creates beauty and a light filled interior in a small footprint.