A new certified Passive House for a young family.

Under construction.

Located directly opposite a leafy park, Harry is a modern, single-level addition to an existing Victorian weatherboard in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb, Abbotsford.

The existing lean-to was dark, cold and damp so the brief was to maximise space on the small block, whilst also giving a sense of openness and connection to the external courtyard.

Double height living space with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the rear courtyard floods the interior in natural light achieving a sense of grandeur is such a small footprint.

The building form was heavily influenced by its neighbouring properties – a two-storey dwelling to the north and a single level dwelling with minimal outdoor space to the south. Abbie acts as the bridge between the two opposing building sizes, sitting equally adjacent to both boundary walls and successfully causing minimal shadowing to the southern neighbour.

Nestled in the charming neighborhood of Port Melbourne, Esplanade House is designed to create a bold statement amongst its natural surroundings. Its perfect location on a corner site adjacent to Edwards Park, allows uninterrupted botanical views whilst creating the sense of security and privacy of an intimate home.

Esplanade House introduces a unique twist to traditional floor levels, with a thoughtful reversal that enhances the living experience. The kitchen, living and dining spaces are strategically positioned on the first floor, capitalizing on the views of the picturesque park. This innovative arrangement invites residents to bask in the beauty of nature from the heart of their home, creating an immersive atmosphere among the tree canopy.

Upon entering Esplanade House, one is greeted by a timber clad hallway leading to a private courtyard, creating an oasis where residents can enjoy the beauty of nature without compromising their privacy. Hidden doors within the hallway cladding lead to three large guest bedrooms, that are easily concealed when not in use.

Esplanade House celebrates the connection between the interior and exterior through a series of carefully designed outdoor areas. A private terrace, accessible from the first-floor living area, provides an idyllic setting for alfresco dining and entertaining. Landscaped gardens envelop the property, offering residents a tranquil retreat where they can immerse themselves in the beauty of the park while enjoying the utmost privacy.

Set in the small Victorian town of Darraweit Guim, this family home is strategically elevated above the flood plain, granting panoramic views that sweep across the picturesque landscape, following the winding creek that defines the property’s northern boundary.

The building is broken up into two distinct zones; an open living area to the north, with bedrooms and bathrooms to the south, all linked by a robust concrete blockwork spine that running the length of the building.

Outdoor spaces are thoughtfully interspersed throughout the design, extending from the main living quarters. These areas offer a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, encouraging residents to bask in the serene rural surroundings while maintaining the comforts of home.

Rosie represents a thoughtful two-storey extension to a historic Victorian weatherboard home nestled in Ascot Vale, Melbourne.

Originally hindered by a poorly constructed and dim rear, disconnected from the backyard, the project aimed to address these shortcomings.

Tailored for a young family, the design focuses on present and future needs, prioritising thermal efficiency, natural light and enhancing connectivity to the outdoors.

The ground floor features three bedrooms, a study, bathroom, laundry, and a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area seamlessly integrated with the backyard garden. Upstairs, a generous north-facing roof terrace complements a second living space and the master bedroom suite.

Further defining the exterior spaces, the site is book-ended by a compact yet functional storage area with a sunken outdoor entertainment zone.

Rosie manages to achieve a harmonious blend of contemporary living needs and the enduring charm of its heritage character. By revitalizing the home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, the project not only enhances the family’s daily life but also enriches the neighbourhood fabric with its considered design approach.

Hughesdale House is a single level extension to an existing Victorian weatherboard with a twist. The brief for the project was to design an open living space that connects to the large backyard as well as providing the necessary additional space required for a growing young family. The old house had a lean-to attachment that blocked any visual or physical connection to the generous backyard.

Strategic positioning of skylights highlights the custom joinery, whilst flooding the interior in natural light. Robust materials of concrete, natural stone and timber were selected for their durability and low maintenance characteristics.

The extension has also been designed with its future in mind by allowing the owners the flexibility to add a second level above if, and when they feel appropriate. The floorplan provides a placeholder space for a future stair run to be incorporated along with over-engineered structure already in place ready for the second floor to be added. This was done in part due to budget constraints, along with not having the immediate need for the extra floor space.

Eco Outdoor’s Melbourne flagship showroom.

Situated amongst nature in the city, Carlton Apartment redesign breathes new contemporary life and light into an old Melbourne home. The clever use of joinery along with the reorientation of rooms to embrace surrounding gardens, creates a functional home that echoes the owners need for versatile and reflective spaces.

The ageing apartment needed to be realigned with the owner’s needs, giving it new purpose and usability. The idea was to create a reflective and calm space that incorporates nature and takes advantage of the position alongside Carlton Gardens. A small space to work within, there was a need to maximise available floorspace through integrated joinery, to create a new home office as well as maximise storage.

Light was a significant factor in determining materials. Being a south facing apartment, it had a tendency towards darkness. We chose a light colour palette that included white stone, light grey joinery, and oak flooring to help draw much needed natural brightness into the space. Mirrors were also utilised in the kitchen and bathroom to help amplify lightness as well as give a sense of additional space.

Nestled on the slopes of Anglesea, Victoria, ‘Jackson’ is a carefully crafted holiday home, designed to seamlessly blend with its environment and cater to various guest dynamics. The primary objective was to create a versatile holiday home that could accommodate family getaways and take full advantage of the panoramic ocean views.

The lower entry level provides a large games room, a shared bathroom, and a communal bunkroom for the growing number of grandchildren. Transitioning to the upper level reveals a central courtyard that provides a protected outdoor area. Attached at the rear are three guest bedrooms, each with private garden views, offering personal escapes within the home.

The core of the house is the kitchen, dining, living & main bedroom, all connecting onto the main deck. The layout enables the rest of the house to be easily closed off when unoccupied.

Externally, the design aims to sit lightly on the land as it emerges from the landscape, cantilevering towards the ocean horizon. Exposed steel, charred timber, and natural stone combine to envelope the building. Internally, the narrative continues with raw blackbutt timber ceilings and natural stone floors throughout, creating a natural ambiance.

The commitment to sustainability is evident in the discreetly positioned solar array on the roof, coupled with electric hot water provisions, high performance window and the removal of gas completely from site.

Anglesea House is an ode to both family and environment, that focuses on the interplay between architecture and the natural world.

Maddie is a two-storey extension to an existing Victorian terrace house located Richmond, Melbourne. The brief was to transform a dark, south facing, two storey dwelling into a light filled, spacious, 3 bedroom family home that would provide a greater connection to the outdoors, whilst respectfully responds to the strict heritage & design overlays. We took inspiration from the existing heritage façade and repurposed the original brick into the new extension.

Preston House is a concrete extension to an existing wheatboard home.