Melba Second Floor

A carefully integrated upper floor addition inspired by the original home

​

This second storey extension of a home in Melba transforms a leaking mid-century home into a spacious, contemporary family residence while respecting the strong architectural character of the original building.

​

The existing flat-roofed home had experienced ongoing roof leaks for many years, made worse by numerous penetrations through the low-pitched roof from a previously installed ducted heating system. As the owners investigated replacing the roof, they recognised the opportunity to think beyond a simple (and expensive) repair and explore how an upper floor extension could better justify the spend and meet their family's long-term needs.

​

Rather than extending across the entire home, the new addition was carefully positioned directly above the existing lounge and study. This efficient approach created a generous master retreat complete with a spacious bedroom, walk-in robe and ensuite, while minimising disruption to the remainder of the house and avoiding unnecessary alterations to spaces that already functioned well.

​

A key design objective was ensuring the extension felt like a natural continuation of the original home rather than an obvious addition. The upper floor carefully references the home's mid-century architecture through matching brickwork, cladding proportions and window alignments, allowing the new level to integrate seamlessly with the existing building.

​

The renovation also provided an opportunity to improve the performance and privacy of the original living spaces. The existing lounge featured an excessive amount of floor-to-ceiling south-facing glazing, creating privacy concerns and contributing little to passive solar performance. These windows were thoughtfully redesigned to frame selected views while reducing overlooking from the street and creating a more comfortable, balanced interior.

​

The new ground floor windows align precisely with the master bedroom windows above, reinforcing the home's architectural rhythm and giving the façade a cohesive, intentional appearance. Upstairs, expansive glazing captures spectacular elevated views, creating a peaceful retreat that feels connected to the surrounding landscape.

​

This Canberra home renovation demonstrates how a second storey extension can solve multiple challenges at once—replacing an ageing roof, increasing living space, improving comfort and preserving the architectural integrity of an existing home. Through thoughtful planning and careful detailing, the result is a home that feels as though it has always been designed this way.