Exterior Design Ideas

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Awarded Australia’s Best Display Home 2022 by MBA, Sanctuary has been crafted to be a modern luxurious haven. Latitude 37’s custom design and construction capability is showcased on a grand scale.

The brief for this project was for the house to be at one with its surroundings. Integrating harmoniously into its coastal setting a focus for the house was to open it up to allow the light and sea breeze to breathe through the building. The first floor seems almost to levitate above the landscape by minimising the visual bulk of the ground floor through the use of cantilevers and extensive glazing. The contemporary lines and low lying form echo the rolling country in which it resides.

We were approached by our client to transform extend their existing modest farm house in rural Cheshire. Working within tight planning constraints in Greenbelt, we were able to maximise the potential of the building, working closely with the local authority planning department. The scheme maintains the traditional aesthetic of the original, locally listed building, using modern construction methods. The house benefits from extensive newly landscaped grounds to compliment the new open plan living spaces.

Designed to sit in a good position to take in the vast landscape scenery of the Thames area.

Hallway www.johnevansdesign.com (Photographed by Billy Bolton)

Peter Corcoran Photography

The home’s design grew organically by the crossing of water, influenced by a nearby bridge linking the tree-lined property to the surrounding golf course. The design was also inspired by the Mid-Century architecture of Florida’s Golden Beach and the revival of the idioms associated with that movement. Exploring the intersection of architecture and place and context and creativity, the project’s sensitivity to the surrounding environment is expressed with a proliferate use of natural elements — like stacked white stone facades and support columns — further smudging the edges between exterior and interior. Water surrounds the home; a koi pond and trickling fountains create a soothing entry. Inside, expansive plate glass walls and windows welcome the outdoors. Full-length windows double as folding partition doors and when peeled back, open the living room to the lanai, and pool deck while simultaneously providing a bridge between indoor and outdoor living. An open stair floats to a second floor catwalk that links north and south bedroom wings, and both contribute to the soaring volume of the interior spaces.

Introducing Our Latest Masterpiece – The Hideaway Retreat - 7 Locke Crescent East Fremantle Open Times- see our website When it comes to seeing potential in a building project there are few specialists more adept at putting it all together than Andre and the team at Empire Building Company. We invite you to come on in and view just what attention to detail looks like. During a visit we can outline for you why we selected this block of land, our response to it from a design perspective and the completed outcome a double storey elegantly crafted residence focussing on the likely occupiers needs and lifestyle. In today’s market place the more flexible a home is in form and function the more desirable it will be to live in. This has the dual effect of enhancing lifestyle for its occupants and making the home desirable to a broad market at time of sale and in so doing preserving value. “From the street the home has a bold presence. Once you step inside, the interior has been designed to have a calming retreat feel to accommodate a modern family, executive or retiring couple or even a family considering having their ageing parents move in.” Andre Malecky A hallmark of this home, not uncommon when developing in a residential infill location is the clever integration of engineering solutions to the home’s construction. At Empire we revel in this type of construction and design challenged situations and we go to extraordinary lengths to get the solution that best fits budget, timeliness and living amenity. In this home our solution was to employ a two-level strategic geometric design with a specifically engineered cantilevered roof that provides essential amenity but serves to accentuate the façade. Whilst the best solution for this home was to demolish and build brand new, this is not always the case. At Empire we have extensive experience is working with clients in renovating their existing home and transforming it into their dream home. This home was strategically positioned to maximise available views, northern exposure and natural light into the residence. Energy Efficiency has been considered for the end user by introduction of double-glazed windows, Velux roof window, insulated roof panels, ceiling and wall insulation, solar panels and even comes with a 3Ph electric car charge point in the opulently tiled garage. Some of the latest user-friendly automation, electronics and appliances will also make the living experience very satisfying. We invite you to view our latest show home and to discuss with us your current living challenges and aspirations. Being a custom boutique builder, we assess your situation, the block, the current structure and look for ways to maximise the full potential of the location, topography and design brief.

Photographed by Laura Condon

A stunning example of modern residential architecture, this contemporary home features clean lines, dramatic design and expansive glass elements. Surrounded by large grass areas, the landscape enhances the home’s bold presence, allowing it to stand as a true statement piece. Perfect inspiration for those seeking striking yet timeless contemporary home design.

Maison avec terrasse

Single storey facade Proudly built and landscaped by Design Draft Construct

Working with the client, architects Holloway & Holloway Architects, designed a contemporary, frameless glazed porch featuring a beautiful copper roof. The intelligent design perfectly brings together the existing architectural style of the home with the elegant frameless porch to blur the old and new together. The porch in this project features three elements: a frameless glazed gable, a Smart Front Door with sidelights and a frameless corner. Each of these elements needed to work seamlessly together to achieve the desired finished result. Read the full case study on our website.

Rear elevation: We designed a full-width, 3 meter deep rear extension. Roof: Part of the extension roof is a balcony that can be accessed from the master bedroom. We created a wild-flower roof with the remaining roof space which can be viewed from the master bedroom and stairwell window. Materials: Most of our bricks were re-used from the demolition stage and some were reclaimed to match existing. Sliding doors: We used an IQ Glass heated double glazing door, in winter it also functions as a radiators.

Two classic orangeries provide valuable dining and living space in this renovation project. This pair of orangeries face each other across a beautifully manicured garden and rhyll. One provides a dining room and the other a place for relaxing and reflection. Both form a link to other rooms in the home. Underfloor heating through grilles provides a space-saving alternative to conventional heating. Vale Paint Colour- Caribous Coat Size- 7.4M X 4.2M (each)