Live, Love, Loft | Cooee Architecture

This compact 139m² family home in leafy Hackett is designed around intelligent space planning, comfort and long-term value. A hidden loft is created within the roof form — a “room by stealth” that adds flexibility for work, play or guests without increasing the home’s scale. The main bedroom and ensuite can function as a separate bedsit.

The house achieves an 8-star energy rating, operates entirely on electricity and harvests rainwater. Lifecycle carbon modelling indicates it can be carbon-neutral over its lifespan with the installation of a 6kW solar power system, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can be achieved without complexity or compromise.

Solar-passive orientation, exceptional airtightness and low-VOC, healthy interior finishes support year-round comfort and excellent quality of life. Delivered within a carefully managed, accessible family budget, the project shows how thoughtful optimisation — not extravagance — can create homes that are sustainable, adaptable and deeply enjoyable to live in.