What is the relationship between old and new in architecture? In this extension to an old Edwardian house in the beachside suburb of Elwood, the owners' desire that their house appeal to all ages by acknowledging the enjoyment of myth and fantasy set the scene for an extension which would be sharply in contrast with the conventional language of the past. The idea of a large bird-like head appearing over the roof came directly from the world of dreams - in the form of a sketch done by the architect after waking in the middle of the night. Here the powerful sub-conscious processes of synthesis enabled an unusually potent design concept, which not only appealed to the owners, but prompted a further step in the development of the idea - to identify the sketch as a 'gryphon' and to add a tail for a chimney.

Then followed a long process of reconciliation to incorporate all the rooms, to allow sun in in winter, to locate solar collectors for hot water and electricity, to conceal water storage tanks and a grey water system, and to shape an abstract representation of a winged creature which integrates visually with the existing roof and house form. Simon likes to involve one or two assistants in his intriguing design odysseys - in this case architectural graduate Chris Stanley played a major role not only in creating the 3D computer model which made this complex design possible, but also by producing the drawings for the builder.

The house seems to fulfil the owners' desires; foster children who live there with them delight in its mysterious interior while passers-by of all ages are amazed by its startling shape. On one occasion a mother was seen being pulled to a halt by her gesticulating two-year-old, who wanted to stay and contemplate the large eyes and pointed beak. It is exciting to see that architecture can be appreciated by even the very young!