Surrey Hills

The Brief

This substantial renovation and extension to a classic Californian Bungalow showcases a highly resolved response to heritage constraints, contemporary living requirements, and complex structural engineering. Located within a heritage overlay, the project carefully preserves the home’s traditional street presence while delivering a refined, expansive residence tailored for modern family life.

The design centres on a reimagined ground floor, where the kitchen and living domains have been enlarged to form a cohesive, light-filled hub. Bespoke cabinetry, premium appliances, and carefully curated fittings and fixtures elevate the space. New double-glazed aluminium sliding doors and windows enhance thermal performance while strengthening the connection to the outdoors. The existing skylights were relocated to flood the natural light into the redesigned space.

A key architectural feature is the introduction of a custom blackbutt staircase with full-height vertical balustrading, acting as both a functional element and a striking design statement. This is complemented by the installation of blackbutt flooring throughout, creating warmth, durability, and visual continuity across the home.

The ground floor layout has been thoughtfully reconfigured to improve functionality and flexibility. A fourth bedroom has been transformed into a private master suite, complete with a well-appointed ensuite and generous walk-in robe. An additional bedroom has been adapted into a dedicated study, while the original study now serves as a secondary living area. The powder room has been fully remodelled, maintaining a consistent level of finish and detailing throughout.

The first-floor extension represents a significant expansion of the home’s accommodation and required a complete redesign of the roof structure and external walls. The original three-bedroom configuration has been transformed into five large bedrooms, supported by two bathrooms and a central landing space. Increased ceiling heights create a sense of volume and light, while new timber double-glazed windows provide energy efficiency and a refined, heritage-sensitive aesthetic. Each bedroom is fitted with custom-built robes, ensuring both functionality and a high-end finish.

Externally, the home has been carefully enhanced to support contemporary living. The original rear deck was removed and replaced with a larger, roofed merbau entertaining area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor transition. The entire home has been repainted internally and externally, unifying the old and new works while refreshing the overall presentation.

Extensive new joinery has been integrated throughout the project, including kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanities, built-in robes, and custom storage solutions. Each element has been designed with precision to align with the home’s architectural language, balancing clean, modern lines with subtle heritage detailing.

The scale and complexity of the works demanded a high level of structural expertise. Sophisticated engineering solutions were required to support the expanded upper level, increased ceiling heights, and reconfigured roof form, all delivered with a strong focus on build quality, longevity, and compliance.

This project demonstrates excellence in renovation and addition, successfully merging heritage character with contemporary design and construction. The result is a cohesive, high-quality home that respects its origins while providing a luxurious and highly functional living environment.