An underused space between two existing walls became the setting for this compact Clayton sunroom. Measuring 6m × 2.4m, the 14.4m² enclosure brings a transparent pitched roof and a dark-framed glazed entrance to a previously open courtyard deck.
Project Background
The original courtyard sat between two white-painted building sections, with tiled roofs above and a timber deck below. A rear wall gave the area some privacy, while steps at the front led down into an established garden. Two chairs and a small table occupied the deck, but the space remained open to the sky.
This project in Clayton, Melbourne, focused on making better use of that gap. The existing walls already defined a distinct outdoor nook; adding a roof and front enclosure gave it a more complete sense of space without spreading the new room across the garden.
Before: a small seating area on the uncovered deck, between the two existing building sections.
Client Requirements and Design Priorities
The brief was to turn the underused area between the walls into a sunroom with a triangular roof profile. The supplied dimensions set a compact footprint of 6m × 2.4m. Within that space, the design priorities were to:
- Introduce overhead cover while keeping a bright interior.
- Fit the new roof between the established tiled rooflines.
- Provide a transparent front elevation facing the garden.
- Retain a clear entrance above the existing deck steps.
- Create room for everyday activities within the available courtyard footprint.
The finished arrangement shows how these priorities work together: the front doors face the garden, while the sloping transparent roof brings light into the area between the walls.
Materials and Dimensions
| Project element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suburb | Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Overall dimensions | 6m × 2.4m |
| Footprint | 14.4m² |
| Roof design | Pitched roof with the triangular profile specified for the project |
| Framing | Dark-finished aluminium alloy |
| Roof covering | Polycarbonate sheets, identified in the supplied materials reference |
| Front elevation | Full-height transparent panels and glazed access doors |
| Existing setting | Timber deck between white walls, with steps to the garden |
The aluminium frame gives the roof and entrance a consistent dark outline. The transparent front panels maintain a view into the garden, and the roof panels admit daylight above the enclosed space. The exact glazing type, panel thickness and aluminium profile dimensions are not specified in the supplied project information.
Materials reference: aluminium alloy and polycarbonate sheet components. This product illustration is separate from the Clayton site photographs.
Our Solution
The roof is the defining feature of this conversion. Its pitched form connects the space visually with the neighbouring tiled roofs, while its transparent panels distinguish the sunroom from the solid building sections on either side. Dark roof members divide the overhead surface into a regular grid.
At the front, tall transparent panels extend down to deck level. The paired central door handles mark the entrance above the existing stair, maintaining the courtyard’s direct connection with the garden. The frame colour also relates to the home’s dark window frames and rainwater fittings.
The surrounding white walls provide a simple backdrop for the interior. In the completed view, a worktable, easel and plants demonstrate one way to arrange the compact room as a creative space. This layout makes use of both the overhead light and the garden-facing frontage.
For a similar gap between existing building sections, our custom sunroom options in Melbourne provide a starting point for discussing roof shape, enclosure materials and access. The available dimensions and existing roof edges help determine an appropriate layout.
Completed Result
The before-and-after views show a clear change in how the courtyard is defined. The original deck was an open seating nook. The completed installation adds a transparent pitched roof and an enclosed front, creating a dedicated 14.4m² sunroom between the existing walls.
The garden remains part of the experience. Full-height front panels keep the planting visible, and the steps still lead directly towards the entrance. The dark framework contrasts with the white walls without obscuring the outline of the original building sections.
This Clayton project illustrates how a modest gap can become a distinct room for plants, hobbies or quiet seating. Its main design lesson is the relationship between roof shape, daylight and access: all three are resolved within the existing courtyard setting.
After: the enclosed courtyard with its pitched transparent roof, garden-facing doors and compact creative workspace.
Planning a Sunroom in Clayton?
Explore our Melbourne sunroom product page or browse local outdoor living case studies to compare different sites and room layouts. For your own courtyard, contact Furite Outdoor Living with the approximate width and length, photos of both walls and the existing roof edges, and the activities you want the space to accommodate.
Compare the layout with our Mount Waverley glass sunroom and Glen Waverley glass sunroom projects in Melbourne.