Ngunnawal
Australian Capital Territory
This project transforms a 1964 north‑facing home by strengthening its connection to the landscape while preserving the integrity of the original form. A new low‑lying pavilion extends the house into the sloping backyard, stepping gently down to garden level and framing an existing maple tree to create a Japanese‑inspired garden. Inside, long and cross‑axis vistas draw the eye through the pavilion and out to curated garden views from every room.
The original compartmentalised layout was opened up to restore northern light and create a generous living space, complemented by a new balcony and rear deck that reconnect the home with the garden. The extension is inward‑facing to protect neighbour privacy, and all mature trees were retained to maintain canopy cover.
Passive shading, high‑performance glazing, refined timber detailing, and coordinated structural and environmental systems deliver a cohesive, energy‑efficient design that respects the existing streetscape while ensuring the home’s long‑term resilience.
The renovation of the Maple Tree House has gently transformed the rhythm of our lives. Large doors open wide to create seamless indoor–outdoor flow, inviting light, breeze and birdsong into everyday moments. Native plantings draw visiting birdlife, and we feel deeply in touch with the changing seasons. Thoughtful design has created both privacy and sanctuary, shielding us from the street while opening us to sky and garden. The open, multipurpose living areas encourage connection and quality family time, yet the home remains cosy and adaptable, with spaces that can be enclosed to create separation, quiet and intimate retreat when needed.