You can do a lot with 60 square metres.

(We’ll show you what we did with 60 square metres in this secondary dwelling hidden in a garden in Berrima.)

Our clients wanted to utilise the back corner of their property for a secondary dwelling surrounded by established native garden. Their vision was for a small, clever studio that borrowed elements from their home at the front of the property and that could be used for a long-term rental.

Located in a heritage conservation area, this self-confident little studio is unassuming from the laneway, receding into its surrounds. Its gable form, vertical cladding and galvanised roof celebrate the Australian rural vernacular and match the main home, creating a visual connection between the two.

We gave the studio its own character too. The spotted gum screen curving into the recessed entry creates a sense of arrival, and a window framing the garden draws you further inside. Drop your keys and slip your shoes under the custom built-in joinery – which we designed, built and installed! From here the interior opens to a wonderful series of quiet moments, vibrant colour and garden  views.

The kitchen, dining and living area is a simple yet generous space that opens to a covered verandah integrated beneath the main roofline. These pop-ins, which simplify construction and reduce materials, provide cosy outdoor corners and gentle transitions to the garden. The hallway to the bedroom and bathroom /laundry doubles as a study with a built-in desk, eliminating wasted circulation space. We designed the wardrobe zone to fit IKEA units from the get-go, assisting the client budget and minimising extra cabinetry.

While the studio exterior recedes into the garden, the interior has punches of colour that radiate warmth and joy. A wall of golden yellow joinery brightens the kitchen and living room, and coloured grout adds a playful detail to the splashback and bathroom tiles.

When this project started, the secondary dwelling was meant to simply be a rental property. But you can do a lot with 60 square metres. And proving its appeal, the owners love their new studio so much that they’re planning to downsize and move into it in the future!

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Project information

Design team: Studio179 - Daniel Fudge and Amanda Zube

Builder: Rofebuild

Joinery: Cobbity Grove Kitchens

Photography: Daniel Mulheran

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