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A clever Atlas Living home offers this couple the chance to build on their dreams of travel and adventure

For newlyweds Jordan and Lily Cooper, taking on a sizeable mortgage to build their own home would have severely impacted their ambitions to travel. But, after investigating all other possibilities, they still believed building presented the best option - so long as they could do it affordably.

'We looked at renting, buying (and) renovating (and at) units, houses and everything in between," says Jordan, a chef. "After great consideration, we decided it would be best for us in the long-term to create and build our own home. We didn't want a large mortgage hanging over our heads but (we) still wanted a comfortable space to call our own ... thus why we built a granny flat."

Jordan 's mother , Karen, was happy for the couple to build on her Macclesfield property, which allowed them to take out a much smaller bank loan to finance their dream. Jordan and Lily, a photographer, then turned to Atlas Living, who specialise in smaller homes, and were won over by the Eco 65, a two -bedroom, one bathroom and open living/dining/kitchen design. But the couple were surprised to find small home builds can be just as problematic as larger builds and say a lot of negotiation was required to get their plans approved by the local council, who had implemented strict conditions on the size and location of the home.

"Unfortunately, we did have trouble with council approval," says Jordan, who had expected his plans to be approved without a hitch. 'We had to go back to council on three more occasions, as they were most unhappy with the placement of our proposed build. "Our build dates were changed and were pushed back about three more months, making the entire process, from plans to keys, approximately seven to eight months. " The approved location for the build turned out to be a hill, requiring a cut and fill which was organised by Atlas Living and included in the contract price, as well as the removal of some existing shrubs.

Jordan and Lily also worked with Atlas Living to modify the plans to a one -bedroom home and converted the original three-way bathroom into a combined shower/bath/vanity area, with a separate toilet. The end result is a bright, light-filled home that looks deceivingly larger than its actual footprint. Timber flooring , along with a slow combust ion fire, provide a warm, cosy feel while a smart, grey blue splashback, soft rugs and throws and plenty of indoor plants add a touch of colour.

'Working with Atlas Living, we were able to create something exciting and wonderful," Jordan says. "The open -plan design creates a much more spacious environment and, as a newlywed couple, fits our current lifestyle." The couple have now lived in their granny flat for about 18 months and have already put the money saved by building a smaller dwelling to use, spending time in Canada for the snow season while renting out their fully furnished home.

"(Building a smaller home) has given us the opportunity to have a base , to house our belongings and be close to family - but to also pursue our ambitions of travel and adventure," says Jordan. "Given our situation, as a young couple and with available funds, we created our ideal home."

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about a similar house to this story please look at the Eco 65 (modified)

Atlas Living's Eco 70 offers independent living at the back of a property and is an ideal choice for those with elderly parents or adult children

Multi-generational living is a concept that is become increasingly important to homebuyers, with many actively looking for homes that cater specifically for the extended family group. It can also be the reason to extend a home and require a considered layout.

But for those who don't want to move to a bigger home or necessarily extend, there is an option which is practical and allows for independent living, especially if elderly parents or relatives are moving into your property.

You can incorporate more living space - perfect for grandparents to enjoy independent living or for children who refuse to move out of home - with Atlas Living's Eco 70, a contemporary, freestanding living unit that can be added to your block, pending council approval.

The Eco 70 is the ideal size for grandparents with two bedrooms, one bathroom , an open kitchen/living zone and measuring 9.lm wide and 7.9m deep. Atlas Living's marketing manager Jaye Smith says the traditional granny flat has been updated as families are once again looking for affordable home options to keep elderly family close by.

"The old granny flat has come a long way and this contemporary solution mean s older children, in-laws and extended family can have independence and space, but still be close to home," she says. "Our linked extensions also provide an alternative to traditional extensions, with minimal disruption to family life during construction."

Jaye says council approvals for additional dwellings on home blocks are relatively simple and Atlas Living's sales team are always happy to walk homeowners through the process. "Depending on your council and the configuration of the space, the approval will generally be classed as a 'habitable outbuilding' or 'dependent accommodation'," she says. "Common requirements are a maximum size for the granny flat, minimum setbacks from your rear and side boundaries, and nominated private open space.

"Our experienced sales team will be able to ask all the right questions for your council area to ensure the approval process is as easy as it can be." On display at Atlas Living's Clovelly Park display centre, the sleek Eco 70 has been showcased with accessibility at the forefront of the home 's design. This can be seen from the ramp leading up to the front deck, ensuring the entrance to the building is wheelchair and walker friendly, which is a practical consideration for the elderly.

Sliding doors open to a full-size contemporary kitchen, complete with breakfast bar seating and ample storage. A generous living room is adjacent and large windows flood the space with natural light. "The living area also features a high raked ceiling and louvre panels alongside the large windows, bringing light and air in and opening up the space for energy efficient and sustainable living," Jaye says.

Off a neat hallway, you will find two bedrooms, one with a built-in robe. A spacious bathroom is nestled between and features a shower, a vanity unit and a toilet , plus a linen cupboard in the hallway. Although the Eco 70 has been designed with multi-generational living in mind , it would also suit as accommodation for additional income or as a separate studio or home office, and provides homeowners with plenty of flexibility for future needs.

Priced from $63,800, the design offers an affordable option to homeowners looking for additional flexibility to accommodate extended family needs.

Features you'll love

Contemporary kitchen: Offering an airy decor. the sleek full-size kitchen is as stylish as it is practical - boasting a large island bench, ample storage and overhead cupboards.

Multi-generational: Whether you have children who won't move out of home or elderly parents who you want to look after, this design offers an affordable option to homeowners in need of extra space.

Good design: A mono pitch roofline soars creating a feeling of increased space, while the contemporary look all combine to create an attractive outbuilding you can admire in your backyard

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Eco 70.

As the article appeared in the paper:

From airbnb retreats to modern granny flats, there's numerous reason to want extra room in the backyard.

If you love your home and the suburb you live in but are in need of extra living space, you can have it all without having to move and buy a bigger house. From home offices and yoga studios to teen retreats and games rooms, the desire for more indoor space is pushing the trend for alternative living zones right into our backyards.

Whether it is renovating the old shed out the back to use as an office or having a separate bedroom and living area in the backyard to rent out as an Airbnb, the trend for extra contemporary living spaces offers homeowners the chance to stay in their dream home with the added flexibility of more living quarters.

Julie Durand , business development manager of the Longridge Group, says "factors such as cost of living increases, teenagers staying at home forlonger, people wanting to be closer to extended family and the rise of Airbnbs, are all contributing to the increasing trend of people wanting extra space in their existing backyard ".

"The option of moving house is proving less attractive as many of our clients seek to avoid the expense and hassles associated with uprooting your family," she says. Longridge Group's Atlas Living brand has 14 stand -alone contemporary living designs and nine linked extensions which can be built on a customer's property. Julie says these are just starting designs with Atlas Living able to customise each design for their clients, their property size, as well as council restrictions.

"Home owners tend to have established networks in the areas they live - whether it's a local school, family nearby or having a short commute to work - so when they need more space, they can be reluctant to move." "Having the ability to increase your living space in your own backyard is far less disruptive and much more cost effective."

Your choice

Atlas Living can deliver everything from a simple rumpus room space or studio, right through to an independent living unit - fully decked out with kitchen , bedroom and bathroom. Its Eco range of stand -alone start from 36sqm and can be as large as a property and budget allows.

"Whatever the need for space, we have a range of range of flexible and adaptable options that we can use as a starting point ,' Julie says. "We then work closely with our clients to design them a brand new space that suits their individual preferences and tastes, inside and out."

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

More information about Our Designs.

If you have an older home you adore ... but it's not quite big enough for the growing tribe, maybe it's time to think about gaining more space. Here's why Atlas Living's Mod 88 is a good alternative to a traditional home extension

The children have started at a great school and settled in nicely, and you have got the morning commute down pat. Your neighbours are great and it was well worth buying that smaller home because of the location - and most likely the price too. But now as the kids get bigger your cramped older home is feeling decidedly, well, small. Sound familiar?

Renovating can seem like a daunting option as you weigh up living in a building site for the next six months or more.  So what if the option was a separated extension that could let you live as you are while they build it outback?

Atlas Living's Mod 88 is a self-contained linked extension and there's a host of reasons why it could be good choice for you.  It offers two bedrooms, a bathroom plus an open -plan living/dining/kitchen, all within an 117sqm rectangular frame that can linked to the back or side of your home, depending on your block and the available space. There's also an outdoor zone as part of the package.

You may want to ditch your old kitchen because this has a good-sized galley-style kitchen with a long island bench and a heap of storage cupboards. Atlas Living's Julie Durand says the beauty of opting for a linked home extension over a traditional renovation or addition is that it causes as little disruption as possible to your normal family life during construction.

"Clients are able to stay in their existing homes while we build their beautiful new space, then at the end we link the existing and new spaces together seamlessly," she says.

"The new space is linked to your existing home with a unique, light-filled, fully enclosed walkway. Besides providing safe and comfortable access to the new space, the link enables clients to extend their home without the mess and disruption that typically comes with home renovations.

"The flexibility of the design and the nature of the link means clients have more options to capture natural light and optimise the use of their backyard space."

Julie says the Mod 88 will suit families of all ages "who need more space but don't want to move from their existing area" and can be adapted to suit any existing house. "It is only really limited by the available space in the backyard," she says. "The extension also suits buyers looking for extra bedrooms - they might be planning a larger family or looking for extra space to sleep guests."

While most councils will restrict a granny flat to 60sqm, the linked extension will sit adjacent the existing home and can be larger in size. "The Mod 88 can be adapted to a stand alone addition for those who wish to keep their new space separate from their existing dwelling," Julie says.

"Many of our clients like to link their new space to their existing house when it is additional space for children or for a parents zone. "Separate dwellings or granny flats work well for in-laws or extended family, for those looking to work from home, and for those with older children who possibly should have already moved out!"

The Mod 88 can be tailored to suit the client including the layout , rooms and sizes. "You can also add form and texture with a wide variety of building materials such as Hebel, glass, modern composite and steel cladding to give your space its own character, " Julie says. "Most of our clients opt for a more modern look and feel, so the extension - and the link itself - become a real feature."

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Mod 88.

Being able to live independently, while still being close to family, is an important choice for many retirees. Atlas Living's stand-alone Eco 58 living space may be the perfect solution

When looking into retirement property options, you want to have a decent balance between your proximity to family and your independence. For northern suburbs retiree Julia Skane, the decision to build an independent studio style home to downsize to was an obvious choice. Already owning a block with a house on it, Julia opted to build a granny flat out back, while renting out her main house.

"I wanted to build on my land so that I could live alone, but be close to my family," she says. As this was her first time building a home, there were a range of needs Julia wanted met by her new home, which ultimately led her to look at Atlas Living and its range of modular designs.

Julia choose to build the Eco 58, a contemporary stand -alone living space that's built with a mix of modern materials and designed for energy efficiency with large windows and sliding doors. The design also comes with optional decks adjacent the living, while for privacy the bedroom and bathroom are situated at the back.

"I wanted plenty of light, energy saving features and a separate bedroom," she says. "I chose to build with Atlas Living because they had good reviews and a reliable history." With 59sqm total size, the base design of the Eco 58 - a one -bedroom, one -bathroom design with one large living/dining and kitchen zone met most of Julia's needs. However she did want to change some aspects of it.

"The only modification was to exclude a bath and have a bigger shower," she says. And the builder was more than happy to modify the design to meet her needs. Vibrantly decorated inside with a veranda adjacent the living zone, her home is welcoming and bright. From signing the contract to getting the keys, the build process took about 12 months and allowed the retiree to move into her home with a relative amount of ease.

"Once the weather cleared enough for work to commence it was completed quickly," Julia says. "I was fortunate to have a flat block, the only issue was very large tree roots which had to be removed, but the site supervisor was most helpful."

Having lived in the new home for just over eight months, Julia says the low maintenance design allows her to enjoy time with family and friends without the stress of and upkeep of a larger home, while still remaining independent. "It's warm, easy to keep clean and very convenient generally," she says.

"I enjoy the veranda very much, I had great fun watching and playing with my grandsons over Christmas and the summer." Although she admits she would make minor changes to the layout if given the chance, Julia is very happy with her home and believes it will keep her comfortable and relaxed well into the future.

Features you'll love

Open plan: The open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area provides plenty of flexibility and having a deck straight off it is a bonus.

Low maintenance: With 59sqm of total space, this design makes the most of its compact size and is ideal for singles or couples, teens or adult children.

Accessibility: Allowing the modification of the bathroom to increase the size of the shower and remove the bath gives homeowners more accessibility which is a necessity for the elderly living independently.

Outdoor entertaining: The optional veranda and deck give occupants the chance to have an independent outdoor space, which is important particularly if you are building a studio at the back of another house.

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Eco 58.

The Eco 59 by Atlas Living is a freestanding living pod that's perfect for the backyard

Adelaide is filled with beautiful character homes, but sometimes these original homes don 't fit the brief for modern lifestyles. A case in point is when adult children are still living at home. They want their own space but perhaps your three-bedroom villa isn't quite cutting it, and the cost of a major addition puts it out of the budget.

So what 's an alternative? A few decades back, if you had a big enough block, the old school detached granny flat was the solution, built in the backyard, usually near the garage. Emulating this idea is a new range of freestanding self-contained pods , bringing this old school concept back into vogue.

Atlas Living's Contemporary Living Spaces are modern versions of the granny flat, and one mid-sized option in the range is the Eco 59, a 57sqm self-contained living studios. It's an ideal size for one or two people to live in permanently, as there 's a fully equipped stylish kitchen (with the option of stone benchtops) which leads out to a deck, and a large bathroom with a wide shower and long vanity.

The bedroom is a generous size as well, and it's made even better as it has the option of opening to a second deck, if your backyard size permits. The living/dining/kitchen also opens to a deck, and with a double aspect and two sets of sliding doors it will be bright no matter which direction it's placed in the yard.

Expect to get as good a finish as you would in any home , and that's what we really like about the Eco 59 - it looks contemporary, it feels spacious and it will be inviting for guests to stay over, or to keep for relatives "The market is evolving and growing because of demand by everyone for more space," says Atlas Living's Juliet Haslam. "Our new Contemporary Living Spaces are the evolution of the traditional granny flat and provide much-needed space for whatever your needs: granny flat, studio, games room, home office, pool room ... they can be whatever you want them to be!"

The Eco 59 is also available as a kit to build yourself.

Home owners have the choice of four exterior profiles, so you can choose a facade that will blend or contrast with your existing home.

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Eco 59.

You don't want to move from your suburb, yet can't bear the thought of knocking down and starting again. So what's the alternative? Just extend. This contemporary, modular system from Atlas Living is a sleek, alternative way to add space

When I think about maximising space in a home, I often gravitate to the idea of knocking down walls and renovating the pre-existing space rather than building on. This is mostly due to my thinking that extensions tend to be expensive projects, however, Atlas Living has recently changed my perception with its Mod 90 - a linked extension that comes in a pre-designed form.

The Mod 90 linked extension offers a large combined living/dining/kitchen zone, one spacious bedroom with built-in storage and a long ensuite with an extra wide shower. A glass link will connect it to an existing home, providing that extra space you could be looking for.

It's on display in a couple of locations around Adelaide: at Cavan*, and a newer, contemporary version, which is pictured here, at Atlas Living's Clovelly Park display village. There it's displayed with two outdoor decks - one shown with an outdoor kitchen - and these are among the many optional extras clients can choose from when configuring a linked extension to their existing home.

The Mod 90 is 6m wide and 14.2m deep and, according to Atlas Living's marketing manager Juliet Haslam, it's proving a popular alternative for homeowners who are renovating.  "Many people look to build a traditional extension and are blown away by how expensive it can be, but an Atlas Living Linked Extension is a very affordable and appealing alternative, " she says.

"It allows optimal use of your backyard space and results in less mess and disruption to your family life compared to conventional extensions." If you watched The Block this  season, you would have seen this concept successfully executed, whereby modern extensions were seamlessly built on to the back of traditional bungalow and villa-style homes.

This melding of old and new sometimes can be hard to get right, yet the new Mod 90 display at Clovelly Park shows homeowners how the simple, classic layout can be effective and ideal to add to many of Adelaide 's older character homes. "The new Modular 90 is a contemporary twist on an old favourite, demonstrating current and interesting architectural trends, " Juliet says.

This can be seen the moment you walk the through the glass breezeway link at the display, where the contemporary styling, on -point colour palette and fluid space feel like an easy  continuation of a home rather than an extension. Compared to the Cavan* display, the Clovelly Park Mod 90 feels more open and contemporary - an integral change, says Langridge Group architect

Sarah Swincer, who is also associated with the Sarah Homes, Gallery Living and Atlas Living brands. "The main differences are in the external form; we have really played with articulating the new Mod 90 by pushing and pulling the design, creating alcoves both internally and externally," Sarah says.

"The other main difference would be the roof, which is displayed as a skillion at Cavan*." Although minor changes structurally, they make all the difference visually, with alcoves creating storage solutions, updated kitchen finishes and the 2.7m-high standard ceilings making the design feel up to the minute , with all the latest home must-haves.

The amount of storage included in this build is a standout, especially the integrated wall of storage in the sleek white and timber-look kitchen, as well as the in-built shelves in the living room and alcove storage in the luxurious double shower.

The attention to detail in this design is outstanding, from the modern finishes to the large windows making it bright, to features such as placing the main bedroom behind the kitchen  for ultimate privacy. It's clear each area has been carefully designed to make the most of the 87sqm layout. "It provides the perfect option to expand rather than relocate," Juliet says.

"It's stylish, roomy, modern, open -plan living that can be linked to your current home and a seamless flow for year round indoor-outdoor living, with dual decks and an integrated barbecue area for entertaining." Initially, I looked at this design as providing extra space for parents, through the master suite, but this area could easily be turned into a teenager 's oasis or guest zone, or for extended family to have their own wing.

With this type of flexibility , it's no wonder designs like the Mod 90 are being noticed by owners of existing homes. "Linked extensions are really catching the market's attention and this particular design is very versatile and meets a wide range of needs," Juliet says.

"We can upgrade or add anything, from exterior materials to cabinetry and benchtops or sanitary fixtures, the new Mod 90 is a contemporary twist on an old favourite. "

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Mod 90.

*No longer on display at Cavan

Modern living sometimes means adapting your life so several generations of family can be close by. Atlas Living has created the Eco 65 / Mod 65 for this very reason

THE good news is we are all living longer and the number of Australians aged 85 years or older is expected to quadruple in the next 40 years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

With that comes the realisation that most of us would ultimately like to live in our own homes for as long as we are physically able, yet sometimes, that's not always possible.

For those in the sandwich generation, where you have responsibility for children as well as ageing parents, the option to send mum or dad to a retirement or aged-care facility isn't one we or they may want to consider.

So if you — as we have — considered buying a bigger property or building a granny flat where mum or dad can live independently, while still close by, then you're not alone.

Atlas Living fits the brief of combining independent, compact living with its standaloneEco 65 or Mod 65 home extension. The design can fit into two ranges: configured as an extension to an existing home (Mod 65), built as an independent and private "granny flat" (Eco 65) to a main residence.

It would also suit families with teens needing their own space or artistic types wanting a creative space to call their own.

"Building on the 'old way' has always been a solution to a growing family's need for space," Atlas Living product manager Helen Lowrie says. "However, it has its problems.

For instance, family life can be thrown into turmoil as the living area of the home is turned into a building site. "Our solution is to build this extension as a stand-alone structure and link it back to the main house with a glass breezeway afterwards."

Priced from only $53,900, it means the option to add on won't necessarily be a massive burden on the household budget, and it's a competitive option when compared to nursing home costs or purchasing a unit as part of a retirement village.

With 65sqm of living space configured in a rectangular shape, it has the flexibility to suit both wide and long blocks.

The living space features a galley-style kitchen with modern conveniences. The room is made to feel larger by sliding doors which span the majority of the rear wall, letting both essential light in and direct access to the outdoors and garden via the timber deck, which is optional.

Off the living are two decent size bedrooms, one with a built in robe and both with floor-to-ceiling windows adding to the space.

The threeway bathroom has been designed with practicality in mind, with a separate vanity area and toilet.

The Mod 65 design will connect to an existing house via a glass walkway, creating a middle courtyard and allowing light in, while remaining protected from the weather conditions.

"This glass breezeway or link has architectural merit in its own right," Helen says. Atlas Living builds with modern materials for both sustainability and energy efficiency, earning it GreenSmart accreditation.

Home owners have the choice of four exterior profiles, so you can choose a facade that will blend or contrast with your existing home.

The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

For more information about the house in this story please look at the Eco 65 or Mod 65.