In early 2017, team BATO studio received a request from our client to develop the option for a modification to an existing dwelling. The owner of the house wanted to build a new additional building to their current home to accommodate the need for family residency. The new block would connect to the main precinct with identical building design languages.

After receiving the brief, team BATO studio started to analyze the site condition where the new dwelling would locate on a non-subdivision block on farmland. However, the biggest challenge was the complicated topography since the existing building was located on a steep slope when the new additional dwelling was placed at the front. Additionally, the client also wished to have plenty of sunlight for both houses with matching aesthetic looks.

From the street, the building immediately exudes a sense of our Design philosophy – simple is the key. We applied our best practice – modular design to keep the layout simple but practical. Entering the front door, you would be in the center of the house with communal spaces such as the living, dining, and kitchen. Two separate blocks of bedrooms occupied the left and right wings of the house. The master bedroom included a walk-in robe with double sinks separating the toilet cistern and shower. The two smaller bedrooms for the children placed at the right-wing would maintain the easy access of each family member to the communal space but keep their privacy at its best.

The additional verandah is a vital element in maintaining the connection between the old and the new house. It will help to create weather-shield access from the grandparent’s house in the back to the newly developed house at the front.

Lastly, the glazing doors connect the terrace of the new house to communal space, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor to invite the breeze and light into the building.