Undercover Architect

Helping homeowners get it right when designing, building or renovating their family home.

Before and After: Bringing a Dilapidated Workers Cottage into its new future
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We all love a good before and after, and bringing this dilapidated workers cottage into its new future is no exception.

Creating a functional and flexible family home was paramount for these homeowners, who were renovating this home to sell.

They worked with Amelia on their design (you can read more about that process and see the design options Amelia came up with HERE).

When you see the before photos, you can see just how neglected this old girl had become. However, there was still great potential sitting in those bones!

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The Cottage sits right on the street boundary, and shows lots of wear and tear!
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The view down the side of the property.
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The original kitchen (or what’s left of it)
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This is a view at the rear of the home, looking into the back garden.

So that was before … now here’s ‘AFTER’!

The renovation was a big undertaking – but as you can see, so worthwhile. (Keep scrolling for some great photos!).

These homeowners relocated the home on the block, to open up space on the northern side. They raised the home as well, to provide space underneath for car accommodation. The new extension to the north was able to be done in a contemporary design, and make the most of the northern orientation and views over the suburb. (Remember to check out the design process here).

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The new street elevation of the home. It sits a little further back from its street frontage, and the original home is still visible in its details and design. A new extension is added to the northern side, with a privatised entry in the zone between old and new.
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The home’s extension enabled a connection with the garden at the rear of the home, so that an indoor / outdoor flow to a grassed area was possible from the new dining area and rear alfresco.
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The new kitchen, looking to the rear garden. A study nook can be concealed behind bifold doors when required.
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The view from the new entry, looking upstairs. This space occurs between the original home, and the new extension. To the right of the entry is a new, lower floor living space.
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Looking towards the dining room.
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A bedroom in the home.
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The high level glazing seen in this image invites northern sunlight into the living spaces, and provides a great view of the sky over neighbouring rooftops.
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The lower floor living area.
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The new alfresco area sits privatised at the rear of the home, and is a great space to sit outside with connection to both indoors and the garden.
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The living room on the upper floor looks out to the street (and east). The sliding doors open up to reveal a glass balustrade fixed to the outside facade – immediately creating a great indoor / outdoor feel when the doors are open.
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The study nook, which can be concealed behind bifold doors, still sits central to the main activity areas of the home, for easy supervision of homework, and use by parents as well.
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The finished home, sitting proudly in the street.

A huge congratulations to the homeowners who created this renovation, and brought this design to life – and to the future owners who get to call it ‘home’. It is always so fantastic to see new life breathed into an old home.

You can learn more about this project, what the homeowners were seeking, and see the designs and process by heading here.

And learn a lot more about renovating a Queenslander Cottage by following the Project Diary here.

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