Moving On Up, Moving On Out
Sun Herald
Sunday August 31, 2008
A stylish attic and a pavilion-style, rear extension both make great use of budget and space.
ANYONE who has dabbled in renovating knows a cap of $150,000 doesn't go far. This makes a well-executed attic conversion, which delivers an extra 25 square metres of living space, a convincing win. Absolute Attics added this roomy attic to a three-bedroom, double-storey Alexandria terrace. The family had extensively renovated the home a decade earlier but now needed an extra bedroom and more storage. Their initial renovation had already extended the back of the house, so going up into the roof cavity, to provide a new master bedroom and ensuite, sensibly used existing space. Construction manager Dax Love says strict council regulations on any change of facade governed the design. In what he refers to as a "back lift", the rear roof was raised to create the new space, allowing for a discreet dormer window at the front. To ensure sufficient headroom in the attic, the ceiling below had to be lowered, which Love says was not a problem "given the high ceilings in these terraces". The only hitch was that the lowered ceiling threatened to obstruct the top of the bathroom window below, which meant a little creative trimming of the floor joists.Two of the four rear, ensuite windows visible from the back of the house were designed to be false, so the interior wall could be used for bathroom fixtures. In fact, one window acts as a wall to the shower screen and consequently required special waterproofing.The new addition is clad in Colorbond custom orb, a pre-cut, stainless-steel sheeting, which gives a fitting Australian feel in this once-industrial suburb. Winner: Additions/alterations/renovations up to $150,000Absolute AtticsBUILDER: ABSOLUTE ATTICS, 1300 857 044.
© 2008 Sun Herald
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