Studio Uno is an unexpected sanctuary for our client Naomi, a full-time carer and mother. Lying behind an established Brunswick terrace, it takes the shape of a meticulously designed Dependent Persons Unit. Naomi lives with her adult daughter, who has very high support needs. The nature of their circumstances means that living together under one roof isn’t always feasible. Naomi needed a certified DPU that met a simple brief: a dismantlable but quality retreat with warm, robust materials and a calming ambience. We’ve packed as much enduring quality and thoughtful design as possible into a compact footprint. Carefully engineered, the dwelling’s lightweight structure and internal linings enable it to be readily disassembled, transported and rebuilt elsewhere. It replaces the fence at the site’s rear, with its upper mass leaning into one corner to minimise impact on the neighbours’ skyscape. Inside, blackbutt timber and hoop pine plywood dominate the palette to create a warm, low-contrast and relaxing environment. The ground floor features dual sliding doors connecting to the courtyard and laneway, with a versatile living area between for retreat, Naomi’s art practice and above all, peacefulness. Lining the wall is a simple kitchenette, cabinetry, and a clever door concealing the bathroom. A staircase leads to the loft bedroom above, made deliberately cosy and secluded by the dwelling’s tapered form. It’s punctured only by a small window to the lane and a skylight above, offering light and ventilation without compromising privacy.

apaiser Reflections Basin in the powder room at Sikata House, The Vela Properties in Byron Bay, Australia. Designed by The Designory | Photography by The Quarter Acre

Wet Room, Modern Wet Room Perfect Bathroom FInish, Amazing Grey Tiles, Stone Bathrooms, Small Bathroom, Brushed Gold Tapware, Bricked Bath Wet Room

Beautiful stair treads in Vic Ash spiral up into the stair void as natural light washes down from the full length skylight above. An elegant piece of steel lines the top of the timber battens, marrying in to the existing steel balustrade below.

A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

The owners love colour and were excited for us to invite fun through colour, pattern and texture across the kitchen cabinets, bathroom tiles and powder room wallpaper.

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

We featured the stunning marble by creating an extra deep vanity top and selecting brushed brass tapware and light fitting. The warm walnut timber tones bring warmth and harmony.

A lush garden pathway continues the curves, leading to a circular outdoor amenity at the far end. It comprises a half-circle mirror, a free-standing cylinder basin, a globe wall light, and an arched door. The outdoor amenity was intentionally designed to be open, with screening from climbing plants on steel wires and timber posts, with potentially a translucent fabric in the future, to create a more cost-efficient yet utilitarian space by eliminating the need for walls.

Built in storage hides entertainment equipment and incorporates a folded steel stair to a mezzanine storage space in this apartment. Custom designed floating shelves easily allow for a rotating display of the owners art collection. By keeping clutter hidden away this apartment is kept simple and spacious.

Custom build mudroom a continuance of the entry space.