Renovation creates large open-plan living space and opens interior to the backyard

This home renovation emphasises natural materials and sustainability with the wrap-around living area feature in recycled wood left over from the upgrade

As part of this renovation of a 1950s architecture, timber flooring, Hardie & Thompson, hardwood, home, house, wood flooring, Kitchen, Higham Architecture — **As part of this renovation of a 1950s home by designer Jason Higham of Higham Architecture, walls were removed and the kitchen relocated to the sunnier side of the home**

Prior to this Higham Architecture renovation, the home’s 1050's home, facade, house, Renovation, Interior renovation, Higham Architecture

This major renovation places a strong emphasis on floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, wood, wood flooring, Higham Architecture, Hardie & Thomson

The original kitchen before major renovation by Higham countertop, kitchen, property, real estate, room, gray

While this renovation by designer Jason Higham stayed flooring, house, interior design, living room, Open Plan living, Norman Ellison Carpet, Higham Architecture

Renovation creates large open-plan living space and opens cabinetry, countertop, bencthop, Resene, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, wood, wood flooring, Higham Architecture, plywood

As part of a whole-house renovation, Jason Higham countertop, interior design, kitchen design, cabinetry, white kitchen, Higham architecture

Galvanised steel from an existing porch roof has cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, window, wood flooring, white Kitchen, CDK Stone, Higham architecture, steel splashback, corner storage

This sustainability-conscious home renovation by designer Jason Higham countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, kitchen, interior design, wood, wood flooring, Higham Architects

With an existing lounge window replaced with bifold timber ceiling, floor, flooring, hardwood, house, interior design, living room, dining table, wood, wood flooring, open plan living, Higham Architects

On this renovation by Higham Architecture, the home’s house, interior design, living room, Higham Architects, Norman Ellison Carpets, Resene Paints

When in use, the shower looks like a bathroom, floor, flooring, interior design, basin, tile, shower, CDK Stone, Caroma, methven, Higham architects

The owners’ request to keep within theoriginal modest 119m² footprint for the renovation of this late 1950s weatherboard home meant designer Jason Higham of Higham Architecture had to closely consider the use of every metre of space.

“Typical of the time, the existing house had good bones, but the room layout was disjointed and there was little regard for sun or flow to outdoor living,” says Higham. “For example, the entry had been confusing and the kitchen was positioned on the dark side of the home.”

Another key aspect of the renovation was that one of the owners is a natural health practitioner and sustainability was an important part of the brief – from selection of natural, untreated products to the use of recycled timber and natural stone.

“The project had be environmentally and ethically responsible in every way, with waste minimised and, where possible, materials salvaged from removed parts of the existing house. For example, the wood for the feature timber wall and ceiling wrap that extends over the dining table all came from the existing house in some form."

"Whether stud wall framing, tile battens, skirting boards or door frames, any untreated timber – mostly rimu – that could be reused was, often in a fresh way.”

As another example of green reuse, the galvanised steel splashback is made from old roof trays from the flat back porch roof.

“From a layout perspective, removing several internal walls enabled us to create a large, family-friendly, open-plan living, kitchen, dining and study space that also links to a new deck at the rear of the home. Relocating the kitchen to the sunnier side of the home was a key part of the redesign and led the rethink of the wider space.”

Plus, Higham’s addition of a new full-height glazed door between the entry and resited kitchen means the latter now has a better connection to the front of the home and the flow is more intuitive generally.

“Rather than choosing a U-shaped or island bench kitchen, we opted for a design that incorporated the dining area,” Higham says. “This arrangement creates an easy connection between the cook and family at meal times, and has the other big advantage of making the entire area feel significantly larger than it actually is.”

With the kitchen on show to the dining area and lounge beyond, much of its messy functionality is tucked away out of sight. The dishwasher is integrated and drawers were chosen for their superior accessibility over cupboards, including at the kitchen’s internal corner and in the adjacent pantry.

“While the bathroom remained in its original place this was another tricky focus in terms of space. A shower was a must, but the owners didn’t want this set over a bath for safety reasons. So the tub was taken out, gaining valuable floor space.”

To free-up even more room, Higham designed a shower stall with doors that fold back into the corner. Large, flowing floor and wall tiles, recessed mirror cabinets and a discreet channel drain in the shower, all add to the room’s feeling of spaciousness.

With many areas reorganised, opened up and improved in terms of both their flow and functionality, the home is now a perfect fit for its growing young family.