Addition To Sub-tropical House In Taringa Preserves Character

Designed by: Shane Marsh Architects.

Location: Taringa, Queensland, Australia | Latitude: 27.293˚ S 

Designing an addition for a house can come with challenges. However, with careful design, you can create a home that preserves the original character while adding comfort and functionality. 

That was the case with the Taringa House. The designers are Shane Marsh Architects. 

Location, Site and Climate

The Taringa House is in Taringa, Queensland. It is a coastal city in the east of Australia.

At 27.293˚ S latitude, Taringa is in a subtropical region since it is south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

It has a mild climate with a temperature range of 10˚C (50˚F) to 29˚C (84˚F).  

House Design Brief

The Taringa House is a three (3) storey house.

It is a 300m² or 3,229.17 sq. ft. home completed in 2019. 

Photo: Toby Scott

Its design includes an alteration and addition to an existing single-family home. The original house is from the 1990s. 

In addition, the primary focus was to add new life to the subtropical house and adapt it into a modern family home.

Home Design Approach

The original house design was for one person. It is a 1900s house that embraces the Queensland style.

However, the clients soon came to the realisation that the house was not meeting their needs as a family of four. There was not enough room for them to entertain guests, and the kitchen felt isolated from the rest of the living space. They were also hoping for a better connection between their living areas and the beautiful tropical landscape outside.

To solve these problems, the architects had to relocate the kitchen to the central level of the house and connect it to the living and dining areas. This change makes the heart of the home the main living and entertaining space. 

Photo: Toby Scott

Shane Marsh Architects also incorporates thoughtful hardscaping to create a smooth flow from the inside to the outside. In addition, they connect the ground plane and pool area to the living space.

Hence, the clients now have a beautiful, functional home perfect for their family and tropical lifestyle. The design allows for plenty of entertaining space and a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor areas.

Addition Complements Original Design

Designing an extension for a house that a prominent architect originally did can be daunting. You want to ensure you do justice to the original design while meeting the client’s needs. 

That was the challenge the architects had when they took on this project.

Fortunately, the clients were understanding and passionate about good design. They wanted to preserve the home’s original character and details while adding new features that would make it more functional. 

Photo: Toby Scott

Carefully studying the original design and materials, the designers ensured the extension seamlessly blended with the existing structure.

What came from that study is a beautiful and functional extension that complements the original design. 

The house design was able to preserve the original architectural details while adding thoughtful and practical new features.  

Using Louvres For Maximum Ventilation

Louvre windows promote maximum ventilation throughout this home.

Also known as jalousies, louvre windows allow amazing cross-ventilation. That is because a jalousie permits breezes to flow through almost all its window area. 

Here, they make this house feel fresh and airy. 

Photo: Toby Scott

They also help connect the old and new spaces, creating a harmonious flow throughout the house.

These windows encourage comfortable spaces that are perfect for tropical living.

Construction and Materials

Tasmanian Oak timber floors are in this house to create a seamless transition between the old and new areas. Wood floors were perfectly planed to achieve a uniform look and add warmth to the home. 

Photo: Toby Scott

Though the colour scheme is primarily neutral, these floors add warmth and texture to the home.

In addition, the walls use wall lightweight materials. Such materials have low thermal mass and hence do not store heat.

Conclusion

The extension of this house was challenging for the architects. However, with considerate clients with a focus on design, they kept the original character while adding new functional features. 

In addition, using louvre windows allows for maximum ventilation and seamless connections. Hence, it creates a harmonious flow of air throughout the house. 

The result is a beautiful modern home that has thermally comfortable spaces and uses great tropical design strategies.

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Photographer: Toby Scott
Architect: Shane Marsh Architects