The rear extension is expressed as a simple gable form. The addition steps out to the full width of the block, and accommodates a second bathroom in addition to a tiny shed accessed on the rear facade. The remaining 2/3 of the facade is expressed as a recessed opening with sliding doors and a gable window.

Tawarri Two Residence

Habitat Studio Architects

House 2 in a dual dwelling development in Koala Park where the site was subdivided for the two new dwellings. On a 332sqm North aspect site the dwelling was designed to allow a front North aspect pool courtyard with direct views to Burleigh Heads Ridgeline. The design was reflective of the South East Queensland Sub Tropical climate with lower floor living areas open to external entertaining decks, the pool courtyard and landscape. Large eave overhangs & oversized gutters with a flatter pitch hip roof & eaves boxed down to window heads indicative of Tropical Modernist Architecture. Planning to the Ground Floor was programmed with all public zones of living, dining, kitchen & a flexible guest bed that could transition to a kid’s rumpus adjacent to the pool if needed. These public zones all wrap the central landscaped courtyard & external entertaining areas. The first floor was programmed with private zones of 3 additional bedrooms & a retreat, kids spill out zone. A defining element was the arched vertical batten aluminium screen acting as a skirt to the deck areas & extending as a balustrade over that act as a colonnade to thicken the façade & help with cooling interior living spaces. The transparency of the screen allows filtered light & cross ventilation to enter the internal spaces. The arched openings soften the form of the building & allow a visual to the landscaped courtyard from within. Built by Paul & the team at PJH Constructions. Photos by Kristian Van Der Beek. KvdB

Collis, Brighton East

The Kitchen Design Centre

Margaretta

Daniela Fulford Photography

Brighton

Sketch Building Design

Lake Wendouree House

de.arch

Front yard

Custom Coastal Luxe Home Build

The brick warehouse form below with Spanish-inspired cantilever pool element and hanging plants above..

WA, Giorgi

Faultless is how the judges described this beautiful home. Masterfully constructed with a layout designed to maximise the northern light and shield the outdoor areas from the weather. This home radiated class and elegance with excellent ambience and aesthetic throughout.

Patching Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This 8.3 star energy rated home is a beacon when it comes to paired back, simple and functional elegance. With great attention to detail in the design phase as well as carefully considered selections in materials, openings and layout this home performs like a Ferrari. The in-slab hydronic system that is run off a sizeable PV system assists with minimising temperature fluctuations. This home is entered into 2023 Design Matters Award as well as a winner of the 2023 HIA Greensmart Awards. Karli Rise is featured in Sanctuary Magazine in 2023.

4 Pylara Street, Woodland Estate

Tabrizi Home Builders

Peregian Beach House - Osprey

Aboda Design Group

Oyster Point Residence

Urban Reach Residential

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

High House

Dieppe Design

Exterior - Duplex Exterior and House Exterior Design Ideas

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.