2 ALBYN CLOSE PAKENHAM RENOVATION

The 2 Albyn Close, Pakenham project investigates two potential design approaches: a knockdown-rebuild and a renovation of the existing house footprint. Both strategies aim to transform the home into a larger, adaptable space that fosters connection between multiple generations while ensuring privacy and independence. The occupants of the proposed home include a multigenerational family comprising a couple and their teenage son, an uncle, a grandfather, and a full-time carer for the grandfather.

This project explored the addition of a granny flat in two distinct ways. Option 1 involved a complete knockdown-rebuild of the site, while Option 2 retained and renovated the existing floor plate. Despite differing architectural execution, both options were grounded in the core idea of togetherness. The granny flat was conceived not as a separate dwelling but as a sleeping quarter connected to the rest of the home through shared spaces—particularly the kitchen and dining areas where the family gathered for meals. This spatial arrangement reinforced the sense of unity across generations, making the house feel like a cohesive, inclusive living environment. Beyond serving the immediate family, the design also extends its impact to the surrounding neighbourhood, reinforcing the concept of ‘home’ as a place of communal interaction and support.