A Wood Extension Creates Extra Living Space In This Australian House

Photography by Christine Francis

Husband and wife designers Mick and Jules Moloney of Moloney Architects have recently finished an extension to their own house in Ballarat, Australia.

The original home is a turn-of-the-century weatherboard home, that from the front is Victorian, however the new wood extension at the rear of the home is contemporary.

This turn-of-the-century weatherboard home in Australia, has a contemporary wooden house extension, that is hidden from view from the street.

Photography by Christine Francis

Mick and Jules wanted to renovate the main home and open it up to accommodate the changing needs of their family of five. The contemporary extension continues the roof line of the house, allowing the old and the new to sit side-by-side, respecting the heritage of the original house.

This modern house extension continues the roof line of the house, allowing the old and the new to sit side-by-side, respecting the heritage of the original house.

Photography by Christine Francis

The extension is an open room with the kitchen, dining and living room all sharing the same space. White walls have been combined with wood to create a sense of warmth, and large folding doors open to the backyard.

This modern wood house extension is an open room with the kitchen, dining and living room all sharing the same space. White walls have been combined with wood to create a sense of warmth, and large folding doors open to the backyard.

Photography by Christine Francis

In the living room, there’s open shelving with firewood storage, and next to the shelf is a wood-burning fireplace. There’s also a mirror hanging on the wall, which helps to make the interior seem larger, but at the same time, also hides the television when it isn’t being used.

In this modern living room, there's open shelving with firewood storage, and next to the shelf is a wood-burning fireplace. There's also a mirror hanging on the wall, which helps to make the interior seem larger, but at the same time, also hides the television when it isn't being used.

Photography by Christine Francis

Next to the living room is a built-in wood window seat that takes advantage of the light from the tall windows. The window seat looks out onto the backyard and has hidden storage underneath the upholstered cushion.

This built-in wood window seat takes advantage of the light from the tall windows and looks out onto the backyard. There's also hidden storage underneath the upholstered cushion.

Photography by Christine Francis

Here’s a closer look at the extension, named ‘The Wooden Box’ from the backyard. You can see where the designers got the name from as they used Tasmanian Oak for the windows and exposed beams, Cedar for the siding, and Blackbutt for the flooring.

This modern 'Wooden Box' house extension uses Tasmanian Oak for the windows and exposed beams, Cedar for the siding, and Blackbutt for the wood flooring.

Photography by Christine Francis

Back inside, the dining room sits next to the kitchen. The kitchen combines wood and black formply (a type of plywood) drawer fronts. A row of plants sitting above the kitchen and against the wall, add a touch of nature to the space.

This modern kitchen combines wood and black formply (a type of plywood) drawer fronts. A row of plants sitting above the kitchen and against the wall, add a touch of nature to the space.

Photography by Christine Francis

Here’s a look at one the bathrooms that was renovated in the home. A bright yellow door matches a fun pendant light of the same color, while the remainder of the bathroom is black and white.

This modern bathroom has a bright yellow door that matches a fun pendant light of the same color, while the remainder of the bathroom is black and white.