A Sunny Disposition – Timberstick House by Pleysier Perkins

A stone’s throw from Melbourne’s CBD in the leafy beachside suburb of Elwood sits an unassuming rendered house with a carefully conceived double-storey extension. Combining reclaimed brick, timber and metal textures, Pleysier Perkins’ Timberstick House is reimagined around the light of day.

South-facing aspects are generally deemed as roadblocks in the pursuit of a light-filled home. The project team at Pleysier Perkins accepted this challenge and with careful consideration utilised the less-than-ideal orientation to design an extension to a family home that is now seemingly chased by the sun.

Despite the small building footprint, the comprehensive extension retains a feeling of openness and spaciousness through the diverse functionality of its spaces.

The northern light penetrates the many windows, voids and skylights in the Timberstick House at various points throughout the day, creating various atmospheres and inviting moments. Sunrise in the east – a coffee on the deck by the morning garden. Sunset in the west – splashing in the pool or spa, barbecuing on the terrace by the afternoon garden and entertaining well into the evening. The decision to forego a traditional backyard and instead integrate these two courtyards with the indoor living spaces was imperative to the home’s objectives of embracing the natural light and creating ventilation.

More light is filtered into the home through inventive uses of metal. A metal batten screen drapes the upper floor, providing privacy and protection when the summer sun is at its highest and hottest. And a floating, perforated sheet metal staircase veils the elements entering the kitchen via double-storey timber windows. This striking feature allows uninterrupted views from the heart of the home into the garden, effortlessly establishing connected zones of indoor and outdoor living.

The decision to forego a traditional backyard and instead integrate these two courtyards with the indoor living spaces was imperative to the home’s objectives of embracing the natural light and creating ventilation.

The staircase also links areas of communal use to those of retreat, such as the upstairs master bedroom which is discreetly hidden behind joinery doors. Pleysier Perkins’ extension playfully incorporates disguised bedrooms and adaptable spaces that serve to offer a choice between connection and disconnection based on the occupants’ preference. Achieving this fine balance is difficult, but particularly in the more private upstairs areas such as the mezzanine study, Timberstick House ensures these zones remain wholly a part of the home via airy voids to the ground floor and gardens.

Opportunities for refuge and individuality were important design considerations for the occupants, with each family member enjoying their own favourite space – a reading nook, a secluded balcony and even a little gym overlooking the morning garden. Despite the small building footprint, the comprehensive extension retains a feeling of openness and spaciousness through the diverse functionality of its spaces.

Pleysier Perkins’ extension playfully incorporates disguised bedrooms and adaptable spaces that serve to offer a choice between connection and disconnection based on the occupants’ preference.

Wrapped around the existing south-facing single storey, Pleysier Perkins’ coastal-inspired extension welcomes the warm hues of all morning, midday and afternoon sunshine cast across its reduced material palette. From every aspect of the extension, Timberstick House delivers light and multiple living environments.

The northern light penetrates the many windows, voids and skylights in the Timberstick House at various points throughout the day, creating various atmospheres and inviting moments.