Design Overview

The goal was simple: reimagine this two-bedroom home to enhance functionality, improve solar efficiency, and create a seamless connection to the garden.

Here’s how we achieved that:

• Outdoor Living: A new deck was built to extend the living area outdoors, creating a perfect space for entertaining and relaxation.
• Kitchen and Dining Revamp: The heart of the home was redesigned to open up to the northern garden, incorporating new bifold doors to boost solar gain and open up direct access to outdoor living area.
• Multi-purpose Room: Situated to the east of the deck, this room offers a tranquil retreat with secluded garden views, designed to flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces for larger gatherings or quiet contemplation.
• Natural Light & Ventilation: A strategic redesign of the entrance maximized natural light and cross ventilation, with a new sliding glass panel that brings northern light deeper into the home while allowing for controlled airflow.
• Thermal Efficiency Upgrades: Significant efforts were made to improve the existing home’s thermal performance, with careful attention to minimizing construction impact by retaining as much of the original structure as possible.

Sustainable Design Principles

• Preserving the Existing Fabric: We retained and renovated the original structure to reduce waste and environmental impact.
• Maximizing Solar Exposure: Daytime living areas were oriented to the north for optimal natural light and passive solar heating.
• Shading & Glazing: Careful sun shading was added to north-facing windows to regulate heat gain, while east and west-facing windows were minimized to reduce summer heat.
• Cross Ventilation: Thoughtfully placed windows allow cool breezes from the south to naturally ventilate the home.
• Flexible Spaces: A modest extension added versatility for various uses—whether entertaining, studying, or relaxing.
• Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting was implemented to sustainably water the garden.

This renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design, solar orientation, and innovation can combine to create a home that’s not only beautiful but more energy-efficient, practical, and perfectly aligned with a future-forward, eco-conscious lifestyle.