Bridging the old and new - extensions & additions

Many families add extensions to their existing homes because their family is growing or simply because they want more space to do what they love. In this process, it often gets overlooked how important it is to blend the new house extension with the existing part. It requires a thoughtful approach that respects the original structure while bringing in new life through the addition. This is especially important for the many older homes we have here in Sydney - respectfully preserving the character and historical significance of these original homes, while introducing modern elements that enhance our everyday living.

Why it matters - contrasting and balancing

The feeling you get when you walk into a well-balanced home design is the feeling of ease, of harmony, of peace. Think, on the other hand, of a space you’ve been in that felt awkward and jarring. There’s a good chance you didn’t feel the space had a good balance. Now, it’s important to point out that contrast is still possible - you can absolutely go for a unique contra-act of an extension that is in stark opposition to your original home’s style. But for it to work and feel meaningful, it needs to be designed, i.e. thought through. For example, you can absolutely slab a massive glass-and-steel-cage on the side of your brick home!

Photo: Richard Downer (https://www.self-build.co.uk/period-home-extensions-design-ideas-for-combining-old-and-new/)

For example, you can absolutely slab a massive glass-and-steel-cage on the side of your brick home - but in order for it to feel balanced, you’d want to consider the exterior colours you use, the flooring in the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ parts of the home and the furnishing. So to be clear, it’s not about sameness. You don’t have to do a brick extension because your main house is in brick (by the way, if it is, congratulations - I love brick homes!). Some of the best designs often blend various materials to achieve different palettes and different textures and create interest - inside and outside. Simple design choices, like window placement, can really bridge the two parts of your home. Ultimately, the goal is to merge the character of your existing space with the functionality of the new.

Where to start?

Given the complexity of an extension, you’d want a solid team of experts around you. That means reaching out to architects, building designers, interior designers and builders whose work you like - AND make sure you find some that are not just interested but exist about the project. Some professionals prefer knock-down-new-build projects because of the ease of the process (not having to deal with the limitations of an existing structure). However, there are also plenty of us in the industry who LOVES a good challenge, like blending new and old. There’s something rather playful about these projects and they’re massively rewarding, when we get them right. Feel free to reach out if you’d like some help in finding the right people to work with!