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A compact, sustainable extension

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This compact, sustainable extension to a weekender has helped to create a clear separation between living and sleeping areas.

This charming weekender in Cooran, Queensland, started life as a retreat for a family of three, but when owner Wendy fell pregnant with her second child, it became clear that the holiday hideaway would need to be extended to accommodate the new addition to the family.

The project provided the perfect opportunity for architect Chris Duffy, of WD Architects, to experiment with some of his ideas about building design. He also needed to take into consideration Wendy's brief for a house that would have a clear division between living and sleeping areas, that would be sustainable, and that would take advantage of the beautiful views.

The result is a building that is designed to be as compact as possible but that still has a feeling of spaciousness and comfort. "A narrow cranked plan enables a range of views, breezes and light to be drawn into the interior, giving good cross ventilation, while high-set windows draw cool air through the interior from the open garage and garden below," explains Chris.

The sloping site presented quite a challenge, but experience designing apartments enabled Chris to overcome any problems that arose. As per Wendy's request, the house has sustainable elements: water-efficient fittings have been used and sustainable, low-toxic, low-maintenance materials have been incorporated. The front door is essentially recycled French doors finished with Organoil, and all internal doors and walls are finished with low-emissive paint.

The exterior walls of the house are clad in Colorbond sheeting, with Colorbond flashing to match. The overhanging roof provides shading. The high ceilings of the interior give a strong feeling of space to the dwelling.

Wendy, not surprisingly, loves her revamped home away from home. She's particularly fond of the new bathroom, with its soothing views out onto the rainforest garden.