Location: Boneo, Australia.

Architect: John Wardle.

An existing house has been renovated and expanded to create a multi-generational living space that takes advantage of the surrounding landscape. The new addition includes living spaces, a main bedroom suite, and car parking, while the existing house has been updated to provide a consistent approach between the old and new spaces. The new wing’s form is fluid and organic, with a skin of copper on the sides that will develop a green patina over time. The arrival sequence has been carefully considered, with a meandering driveway leading to a protected courtyard space that directs visitors to the entry. Inside, the interior is like a cabinet, with varying textures across floor, walls, and joinery. The space transforms from vertically oriented to a lower horizontal space, amplifying the panoramic views through large window portals. The existing house has been stitched into the new contemporary proposition with the addition of a hedge, two timber canopy structures, and a west-facing terrace that connects the old and new living spaces. The result is a space that provides opportunities for both retreat and communal family living.

Photo credit: Sharyn Cairns