Rara Architecture Add a Contemporary Monolith to Traditional Australian Home

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Big glass inclusions overlook a green lawn - Big glass inclusions overlook a green lawn

Ambient lighting adds to the modest pendants over the dining table - Ambient lighting adds to the modest pendants over the dining table

Fridge, tech, and food products hide behind the wall - Glass inclusions

When it's closed, the kitchen turns into a dining room - When it's closed, the kitchen turns into a dining room

It features another wall that slides to give passage to pantry - It features another wall that slides to give passage to pantry

Industrial style kitchen works well with plywood wall divider - Industrial style kitchen works well with plywood wall divider

Kids room overlooks the backyard through a small transom - Kids room overlooks the backyard through a small transom

Kids room with a vaulted ceiling - Kids room with a vaulted ceiling

Play area - Play area

Sleek bath enjoys some daylight from the only transom - Sleek bath enjoys some daylight from the only transom

A more dramatic bath with a tiled feature wall - A more dramatic bath with a tiled feature wall

Bedroom features its own closet and a fireplace mantel - Bedroom features its own closet and a fireplace mantel

Glass inclusions - Glass inclusions

A small access to the courtyard - A small access to the courtyard

Another room features an unfunctioning fireplace - Another room features an unfunctioning fireplace

Elegant living room features exposed painted brick - Elegant living room features exposed painted brick

An architectural staircase makes a designing element in the hallway - An architectural staircase makes a designing element in the hallway

Cool living room window opens up a fenced corner - Cool living room window opens up a fenced corner

Acid-stained concrete makes for glorious flooring - Acid-stained concrete makes for glorious flooring

Sliding glass doors is any contemporary home's staple - Sliding glass doors is any contemporary home's staple

A single transom breaks the monolithic shape of the house - A single transom breaks the monolithic shape of the house

Courtyard fenced for privacy - Courtyard fenced for privacy

Monolithic siding lends the house its name - Monolithic siding lends the house its name

Asymmetric fence - Asymmetric fence

Rara Architecture house renovation - Rara Architecture house renovation

Original building - Original building

Rara Architecture Add a Contemporary Monolith to Traditional Australian Home

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Big glass inclusions overlook a green lawn

Ambient lighting adds to the modest pendants over the dining table

Fridge, tech, and food products hide behind the wall

When it's closed, the kitchen turns into a dining room

It features another wall that slides to give passage to pantry

Industrial style kitchen works well with plywood wall divider

Kids room overlooks the backyard through a small transom

Sleek bath enjoys some daylight from the only transom

A more dramatic bath with a tiled feature wall

Bedroom features its own closet and a fireplace mantel

Another room features an unfunctioning fireplace

Elegant living room features exposed painted brick

An architectural staircase makes a designing element in the hallway

Cool living room window opens up a fenced corner

Acid-stained concrete makes for glorious flooring

Sliding glass doors is any contemporary home's staple

A single transom breaks the monolithic shape of the house

Monolithic siding lends the house its name

Still hesitate expanding your long-time home? Look at what Rara Architecture came up with for the traditional home in Melbourne, Australia. From the outside, it looks as small and sweet as it can be, but out in the back it grows into an architectural monolith that adds space for the growing family.

Its small asymmetric fence is only low from the front. Immediately at the side it extends up to give privacy to the backyard.

Structure of the extension ensures there is plenty of square footage for kids rooms and play areas, open plan living areas and dining. At the same time, the new addition does nothing to intrude upon the original structure in any way. There is even a small inner courtyard between the two houses.

Since the structure is contemporary, fence at the back had to be higher to protect the residents’ privacy. Wide sliding glass doors and windows, overlooking the green lawn and deck, put a living room and industrial kitchen/dining on display.

Most of the new structure comes shut off from the outside world, aside from a small transom that allows some daylight into kids rooms. (Photography by Christopher Alexander & Alison McWhirter Photography)