Kaurna
South Australia
Jerry’s House is a compact residence on a 233m2 block, exemplifying the art of living small without compromise. Transforming a once disconnected, south-facing rear, the welcoming addition supports the clients’ love of entertaining while accommodating both transient adult children and, most importantly, their beloved Vizsla, Jerry.
The design maximises efficiency within tight site constraints, with every square metre serving multiple purposes to create a sense of openness and experimentation. The project demonstrates how a rigorous design approach can repurpose existing building stock to create a meaningful home for empty nesters. It prioritises the everyday experience within and immediately outside the built form, doing more with less.
Jerry’s House shows how playfulness coupled with careful planning can yield a home that is not just functional, but a true reflection of its inhabitants’ lifestyle and values.
Jerry’s House redefines the restoration of a modest original cottage, enhancing and strengthening its relationship with the established urban context, while crafting a living environment that surprises and delights. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the site’s distinctive conditions, the project challenges conventional extension models by reorienting the building mass to the rear boundary and inserting a lush central courtyard. This strategic move dissolves traditional thresholds between inside and out, creating an introspective, highly functional home that responds intelligently to both natural and built surroundings.
The design draws a clear yet respectful line between old and new, unified through a restrained and sophisticated material palette. Rather than expanding outward, it manipulates volume to deliver generosity and flexibility within a modest footprint, showcasing expertise in program resolution. Spaces feel expansive and adaptable, accommodating the resident’s evolving lifestyle — from quiet daily living to vibrant entertaining.
Jerry’s House presents a confident, contextually driven alternative to suburban infill. Crafted volumes, precise detailing, and a masterful use of thresholds deliver a home that is not only beautiful and highly livable, but enduring, inventive, and deeply attuned to place — a benchmark for contemporary domestic architecture.
‘To us downsizing never meant compromising. Proske’s design fully delivered by making every millimetre of space work as hard as possible given the 233m2 block. It is now a light, generous and expansive space.
By reorientating the previous dark, rear addition (which also created full privacy to three very close neighbours) we are now bathed in northern sun. The open inside/outside design encourages our love of entertaining family and friends. We’ve had many comments how relaxed, warm and inviting it feels. We consider ourselves very lucky to be living in such a well-designed, luxurious space that enhances our daily lives.’
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
