Kiddy Kitty Court House

Kiddy Kitty Court House is an alteration and additions project to an arts and crafts cottage in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne.

They loved their charming 2-bedroom cottage in Moonee Ponds but recognized it would not meet the demands of a growing family.

Their brief was to create a family home that was light, bright, and joyous to accommodate their future kiddy, two kitties, and their busy, sport-loving lives.

Although charming, the house was small, cut off from its large north-facing garden, had no heating or cooling, and with a 2m tall owner, there were issues around head heights (Ben would hit his head while cooking!).

The brief from Ben and Hester was to provide 2 additional kids' bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms, a large open-plan living and dining, and a kitchen to accommodate large family gatherings.

Hester also wanted a retreat to pamper and bath that had an expansive garden view. In addition to the functional brief, the owner's desire was to retain the character of the cottage and ensure charm and personality were carried through the new house additions.

The sitting room and 2nd bedroom, with polished original timber floorboards and soft pink rendered walls, now perform as Hester’s reception rooms for her thriving celebrants business.

The existing kitchen was demolished and converted into a WIR and ensuite with double arched vanities and a separate step-down wet room. A walk-in shower and freestanding bath sit in front of full-height glazing overlooking a fern-filled courtyard.

The blue bathroom fixtures from the original bathroom were repurposed in the kid's bathroom to ensure that charm was not limited to the original cottage only.

The pink arched door signifies the end of the original cottage. A new glazed link connects the cottage to a new two-story wing. Fern-filled courtyards flank either side of the link, filtering light and ventilation through both old and new sections of the house.

The main central courtyard also fulfilled the brief for a secure shaded kitty space. Terracotta tiles lead down to the new living area or up timber stairs to the kid's zone.

Once within the new living area, light streams in, and views peer out to various courtyard and garden spaces. The polished concrete floor, white walls, and large expanses of glass are interjected with warm timber joinery and brick plinth seating elements.

An arched chalkboard is a playful organizer for a busy family and lots of fun for the kids. Painted white exposed rafters and detailed dowel joinery provide texture and pattern, which is repeated up the stairwell and into the kid's room robes. It results in the connection of spaces, and the effect is light and somewhat playful.

The 2 bedroom kids' zone is white and lofty with splashes of color and whimsy. The bathroom, although compact, has ample storage in under-seat drawers that also provide a comfy spot for grown-ups during bath time.

The exterior of the house was derived from pure simple forms with a robust minimal material pallet in shades of white. The interior material pallet was kept simple and robust with extensive use of white laminate joinery and timber veneer.

Pops of colored grout, tiles, and white timber detailing add visual interest and charm. The focus is all on light, color, texture, and pattern, reinforcing the house's liveability and lovability.

The new addition is North facing with large expanses of glass for maximum solar gain.

The floor layout has an abundance of window openings that enable good ventilation and cross-flow. The new additions have high-level insulation added to walls, ceiling, under the concrete slab, and double glazing throughout.