This project is a carefully designed addition to an existing home, created for a passionate gardener with the goal of seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. Rather than treating the new structure as a separate element, the design dissolves hard boundaries, allowing the garden to extend into the home and become an ever-present part of daily life.
A defining feature of the addition is its single-sloped roof, where the gutters and chain downpipes are intentionally exposed, celebrating the process of rainwater collection. As water flows through the downpipes into galvanized storage tanks, the home becomes an active participant in the garden’s ecosystem. From inside, rainfall is no longer just an exterior occurrence—it’s a visible, functional event that directly supports the landscape.
The addition was designed to ensure the garden remains a constant presence. Sightlines are carefully framed so that every room offers a view of the evolving colors and textures of the garden, making seasonal changes an integral part of the interior aesthetic. Thoughtful material choices, including custom timber joinery, extend this connection, ensuring that even practical elements—such as the exterior storage area for gardening tools—are functional yet celebrated.
At its core, this project transforms the home’s relationship with its landscape. The architecture doesn’t compete with nature; instead, it enhances and embraces it, creating a living space where the rhythms of the garden and home life are fully intertwined.
Nestled within a long and narrow urban site, this addition redefines the relationship between home and nature, seamlessly integrating light, space, and function. At its heart, the design is centered around a courtyard, transforming what was once a confined setting into a dynamic indoor-outdoor living experience.
The addition extends upward, following the constraints of the residential side setbacks, naturally shaping the form of the roof and allowing for an elegant second story. This new level houses the master en suite, a private retreat that embraces natural light and ventilation through strategically placed skylights and operable windows. A generous deck off the suite overlooks the courtyard below, offering an elevated sanctuary while simultaneously sheltering the outdoor space beneath it.
The courtyard itself becomes a flexible gathering space, effortlessly blending with both the kitchen and garage through large openings. When in use, it provides a vibrant setting for entertaining; when at rest, the garage’s transparent façade transforms parked vehicles into sculptural elements within the composition.
Skylights punctuate the roofline, funneling daylight deep into both levels and breathing warmth into the existing home. A thoughtful green roof extends beyond the balustrade, softening the urban surroundings and reinforcing a connection to nature. More than an addition, this project is an evolution—an architectural response to site, climate, and contemporary living, where each element enhances both functionality and experience.
This project reimagines two existing structures, seamlessly uniting them under a single, expressive roof. More than just a shelter, the new roof mimics the canopy of trees—filtering sunlight, casting dynamic shadows, and breathing life into both the original home and adjacent bungalow. Through this intervention, the separate dwellings become one cohesive space, connected by light, structure, and purpose.
At its core, the design embraces simplicity. Using pre-manufactured trusses, the new roof extends over both structures, integrating them without disturbing their solid concrete walls. The previous timber roofs are replaced with a single, cohesive span—an architectural gesture that strengthens the connection between old and new while allowing natural light to penetrate the interiors.
Designed as a retreat for a musician, the home is built around the presence of a Grand Piano—an instrument that can be discreetly hidden behind a sliding garage door or revealed in an instant, transforming the main space into an intimate performance hall. This flexibility makes the home both a sanctuary for solitude and a stage for collaboration, where impromptu jam sessions can unfold effortlessly.
Beyond music, the design also honors the homeowner’s love for astronomy. A staircase, which doubles as access to a lap pool, leads to a private rooftop perch—an intimate space where the interplay of dappled light from the roof structure dissolves into the vast expanse of the night sky. Here, amidst the stars, the house transcends its physical boundaries, becoming a place of inspiration, reflection, and creativity.
Tucked discreetly behind a mid-century home, this addition balances function and form, seamlessly integrating much-needed storage and a dynamic rumpus room without altering the home’s street-facing character. By introducing an enlarged dormer at the rear, the design respects the original roofline while creating a spacious double-height volume filled with morning light from the east.
The rumpus room serves as the heart of the addition—a flexible space that adapts to the needs of a growing family. Steps at the rear connect the room to the garden, ensuring a natural flow between indoors and out. The raised threshold also creates the perfect nook for a built-in daybed, a quiet retreat to relax and take in the greenery. Above, the dormer carves out a cozy upper-level retreat, offering a secluded space for reading and reflection while maintaining a visual connection to the backyard below.
Storage is another key consideration in this design. Custom joinery discreetly tucks away games and toys, keeping the rumpus room effortlessly organized. Additionally, a newly introduced attic space above an existing bedroom provides even more storage, ensuring the home remains clutter-free while accommodating the evolving needs of the family.
To extend the home’s livability year-round, a covered outdoor area along the north side invites the homeowners to enjoy the changing seasons, sheltered from the elements. Thoughtful and understated, this addition enhances the home’s functionality while preserving its original charm.
This renovation of a Collingwood cottage redefines the home’s entryway and office, transforming two overlooked spaces into functional, inviting, and light-filled areas. With a focus on optimizing the existing layout rather than expanding it, the design prioritizes warmth, practicality, and a seamless integration with the modern addition at the rear of the home.
The original entryway, a narrow 900mm-wide hallway, felt cramped and unwelcoming. Guests arriving at the home were met with a tight squeeze and nowhere to store their shoes or pause upon arrival. By thoughtfully reclaiming a portion of an adjacent guest bedroom, the new entry now offers a generous and welcoming space. Timber battens add texture and warmth to the walls, while a soft-glowing sconce creates an inviting atmosphere. A concealed cabinet discreetly hides the electrical switchboard, maintaining a clean and cohesive aesthetic.
The office, originally a dark bedroom with a limited view of a neighboring fence, has been transformed into a bright and inspiring workspace. A sculptural skylight well draws in warm afternoon light from the western sky, visually expanding the room while creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. Custom joinery anchors the space, integrating a daybed with built-in bookshelves—an ideal retreat for reading or taking a break from work. Additional storage solutions, including concealed compartments for a printer and office essentials, ensure a clutter-free environment.
These subtle yet impactful changes elevate the front portion of the home, creating a more cohesive and livable space that complements the modern extension beyond.
This renovation reimagines a post-war masonry home, restoring its integrity while enhancing its connection to the outdoors. With a focus on the kitchen and bathroom, the design brings warmth, natural light, and a sense of openness to the previously compartmentalized layout.
At the rear of the house, a poorly constructed sunroom once blocked the home’s relationship with its back garden. By removing it and reinstating the masonry walls, the design reclaims the home’s original structure while introducing a new deck that extends the kitchen outdoors. This transformation not only creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living but also welcomes soft morning light from the east, brightening both the kitchen and garden. The result is a functional and inviting space that celebrates the homeowner’s love for cooking and gardening.
The primary bathroom has also been thoughtfully redesigned, blending warmth and tranquility. Terracotta tiles wrap the space in an earthy, grounded aesthetic, while a full Japanese bathtub invites quiet moments of relaxation. The shower has been reconfigured for improved comfort and functionality, reinforcing the home’s new sense of ease and refinement.
By carefully balancing restoration and modern intervention, this renovation honors the home’s post-war character while adapting it for contemporary living. Each space now reflects the client’s lifestyle—nurturing, connected, and bathed in natural light.
