Mid-sized 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.

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

Twelve Black is a contemporary family home designed for comfort, function and quiet drama. The design centres around a refined black palette, softened by natural light and grounded in durable, low-maintenance materials—ideal for a busy family lifestyle. Open-plan living spaces connect seamlessly to the outdoors, with a functional layout that balances communal areas and private retreat zones. Thoughtfully detailed joinery, built-in storage and a flexible kitchen and dining hub support modern day-to-day living. While bold in appearance, the home’s simplicity allows family life to take centre stage.

This modern rear extension was designed with one goal in mind: to bring in as much natural light as possible while creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. The result is a stunning, L-shaped structure that wraps around the rear of the home, offering a bright, open-plan space perfect for family life and entertaining. The extension features three large sliding glass doors that frame garden views and allow natural light to pour in from multiple angles. These doors not only create a strong visual connection to the outdoors but also open fully to blur the boundaries between inside and out, ideal for warm-weather living. A distinctive corner window adds an architectural flourish, inviting light from a less conventional direction and contributing to the airy, expansive feel of the space. Above, three strategically placed skylights draw daylight deep into the interior, ensuring the home is bathed in sunlight throughout the day. To complement the glazing and add warmth to the modern design, the exterior is finished in natural timber cladding. This choice not only gives the extension a contemporary yet inviting appearance but also helps it sit harmoniously within its garden setting.

Rear extension, photo by David Butler

A split level rear extension, clad with black zinc and cedar battens. Narrow frame sliding doors create a flush opening between inside and out, while a glazed corner window offers oblique views across the new terrace. Inside, the kitchen is set level with the main house, whilst the dining area is level with the garden, which creates a fabulous split level interior. This project has featured in Grand Designs and Living Etc magazines. Photographer: David Butler

The Woodside - orangery

Photography by Maree Homer

Fotografía: Jesús Granada

Peter Bennetts

The style of the extension blends contemporary design with the best features of the traditional style of the original house. Recycled Canberra red bricks feature heavily, balanced by lighter materials such as weatherboard, plaster and light-coloured timber. A bay window matching those on the original house provides a sunny nook for reading or looking out over the garden. Colonial style double-glazed uPVC windows match the original home's windows while providing far higher performance. Photographer: https://www.kirstynsmartphotography.com.au/

Truro is a reimagined family bungalow that blends heritage charm with modern functionality. A new rear extension opens up the home to light and garden views, creating open-plan living spaces perfect for everyday family life. The layout was redesigned to improve flow, add storage, and provide flexible zones for both connection and retreat. Warm materials, thoughtful details and a soft, natural palette make the home feel calm, timeless and easy to live in.

Wer sagt denn, dass sich Widersprüche ausschließen? Urban und ländlich. Streng und leicht. Für HGK sind das nicht unauflösliche Widersprüche, sondern eine zu bewältigende Herausforderung. Denn wer das richtige Grundstück und die richtige Architektur angeboten bekommt, kann beides zugleich haben. Dieses Haus ist ein Paradebeispiel dafür. Werden wir konkret: Dem Bauherren war einerseits die Nähe zum Flughafen und ein urbanes Umfeld wichtig. Andererseits kam es ihm auf ein Wohnen an, das sich ins ländliche Grüne öffnet. Außerdem wichtig: Das Haus sollte im gewohnten Umfeld gebaut werden, damit die drei Kinder weiter zu Ihrer Schule gehen können. HGK suchte und fand es: das passende Grundstück für diese Vorgaben und auch die Architektur, die HGK zusammen mit dem Bauherrn und dem Architekten entwarf. Sie ist von klarer Strenge, und steht mit ihren Anklängen an die Backsteinmoderne für eine klassische urbane Orientierung. Jedoch löst sich die Strenge im Innenraum zugunsten von großzügigen, transparenten, sehr lichten Räumen völlig auf – und transportieren das grüne Umfeld quasi ins Haus.

Stadtvilla in Gernrode Eine Stadtvilla mit Stil- und Funktionalität mit integriertem Hobbyraum, Garage und Carport. Der Anbau der Prärie- und Bauhaus inspirierten Villa komplettiert ausdrucksstark das Ensemble. Die moderne Stadtvilla ist mit viel Wohnkomfort ausgestattet: helle, großzügige Räume bestimmen die Architektur. Die Außenansicht wird von symmetrischen, großen Fensterflächen, geometrisch, gestalterisch gliedernden Pfeilervorlagen und markanten Eckverglasungen bestimmt. Das Obergeschoss erhält seine äußere Spannung durch einen Zurücksetzen und Holzverkleiden, welches dem gesamten Objekt final Unikatcharakter verleiht.Die Holzpaneele im oberen Teil setzen sich freundlich von der Putzfassade ab und erzeugen Wärme in der äußeren Erscheinung. Sie wiederholen sich darüber hinaus verbindend im Carportdesign.