Architecturally designed affordable homes - Lunchbox Architect

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The Light Box by Finnis Architects & Damon Hills

The Light Box — Designed by Finnis Architects & Damon Hills

“ In a street of Californian Bungalows, it was important to maintain the status quo. It's a whole other story at the rear of this home... ”

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Lunchbox Architect delivers an inspiring (affordable) architecturally designed home or renovation every weekday — just in time for your lunch break. Bite-sized stories that are perfect for home builders/renovators — or just daydreamers. Instead of battling the sushi line, settle down with a sandwich and check out what innovative project is in the lunchbox today. Enjoy!

— Brodie

Recently Dished Up on Lunchbox Architect

Carlton House by Tom Robertson Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Carlton House by Tom Robertson Architects A Double Height Space Brings Light Into This Previously Dark Cottage And he said, 'Let there be light', and there was light. Thanks to a new double height space, this cottage is transformed.

McGunnigle Shack by mishack (via Lunchbox Architect)

McGunnigle Shack by mishack When Fans of Mid-century Design Saw Mishack, They Saw a Kindred Spirit This modern home captures the spirit of mid-century design, with a taste of American diner-style breakfast booths for good measure.

Lawes Street Extension by Habitech Systems (via Lunchbox Architect)

Lawes Street Extension by Habitech Systems What You Can Do to Rectify a 1980s Brown Brick Atrocity The '80s was responsible for numerous crimes against taste (but some pretty fabs music). What can you do to right some of those wrongs?

Melbourne Vernacular by (via Lunchbox Architect)

Melbourne Vernacular by Sustainable Owners Renovate with Minimum Carbon Footprint With a passion for sustainability, these owners salvaged whatever they could to reduce the carbon footprint of their renovation.

Lake Wendouree House by Porter Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Lake Wendouree House by Porter Architects Despite Its Age, This Home Was Anything but a Renovator’s Delight This home's meticulous maintenance record details upkeep such as 'biannual repainting'. It was in A1 condition, but still needed modernising.

Cubby Office by Krisna Cheung Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Cubby Office by Krisna Cheung Architects School Holidays Are No Longer a Nightmare for These Working Parents Cubby Office to the rescue! A fun, connected, yet separate space for the kids to play while the parents get back to work.

Garden View House by (via Lunchbox Architect)

Garden View House by Stuck on Whether to Renovate or Demolish and Start Over? These owners decided to work with what they had rather than start afresh. The result is a functional and character-filled home.

Two Halves House by Moloney Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)

Two Halves House by Moloney Architects Two Pavilions Encourage a Sociable Lifestyle and Embrace the Bush Two Halves House steps down the landscape, separated into a sociable living space and a private sleeping zone.

Leederville House by RYANarc (via Lunchbox Architect)

Leederville House by RYANarc A Unique Vaulted Ceiling and Clerestory Windows Bring in the Light A home on a corner block maximises light without sacrificing privacy by reorienting to the north and some strategic clerestory windows.

Hungry for more?

350+ projects waiting to be devoured...

A Taste of our Collections...

Collection Shipping Container Houses If you've used the Internet recently (and I *know* you have), you will have seen articles like "7 Shipping Container Homes that will Blow Your Freaking Mind" or "You'll Never Guess What's Inside This Shipping Container" (Spoiler: It's an adorable, pint-sized house). Yep. Shipping Container Houses are all the rage on the Internet. And for good reason. With a bit of skill, a shipping container can be transformed into a beautiful, low-cost, environmentally friendly home. I say a bit of skill because, despite what some advocates (read: marketers) would have you believe, building a container home isn't much easier than building a traditional house. In some ways it's even harder! Collection House Plans Find a range of house plans for your inspiration. From one bedroom houses to larger family homes, you're sure to find the house plans you need here. Collection Carpet Warm and comfortable underfoot, carpet can make a living area or bedroom feel more cozy and welcoming. You can also be bold with carpet colours.

Collection Joinery Joinery can be expensive to build, but the payoffs are huge. Whether it's designed to hide everything away, or to put your favourite items on show, clever joinery can make the most of even the smallest spaces. And the difference between well-made, quality joinery and the stuff you pick up from IKEA speaks for itself in how well it lasts and how long it looks fantastic (good joinery won't peel). Check out some of the Joinery projects featured on Lunchbox Architect for some inspiration for your own project.

Collection Staircases Staircases come in all shapes and sizes, but the best examples of staircases are features of the home in and of themselves. Collection Timber Kitchens Timber kitchens feel warm and welcoming in any home. Timber in the kitchen makes this area feel less stark and can be a statement.

Collection Concrete Floors Concrete floors offer a hard-wearing (virtually indestructible) surface and can also help to moderate temperature inside the home. The range and variety of concrete floors available is mind-boggling. You can expose the aggregate, polish, add oxide to colour the concrete or a combination of all of these options. The best designs utilise the thermal mass of concrete to absorb the sun's heat to keep the home warmer in winter. Pair concrete floors with clerestory windows facing the sun to achieve this win-win situation.

Collection Tiles For bathrooms, kitchens or anywhere, really, tiles can add a splash of colour, pattern and texture to liven up any space. Get plenty of tile ideas from this collection.

Collection Brick Houses Bricks are one of the oldest building materials. And the fact that so many of the first brick structures are around today is a testament to their longevity and timeless style. Bricks are versatile, durable and affordable. There's a reason the age-old advice is to invest in bricks and mortar. Need some brick house inspiration? There are plenty of ideas out there - take a look at some brick houses we hand-picked for you...

Collection Timber Houses Check out some of the Timber Houses projects featured on Lunchbox Architect

Collection Sliding Glass Doors Sliding glass doors blur the boundary between inside and outside. When open sliding glass doors create an indoor/outdoor connection.

Collection White Kitchens White is a safe and elegant choice for the kitchen. Take a look at all the white kitchens we've featured on Lunchbox Architect...

Still not satisfied?

120+ Collections ready to inspire...

Devour our Articles...

11 May 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

11 May 2018 5 Sun-loving Extensions to Get You Through the Polar Vortex If you're dealing with the polar vortex, you're probably feeling a little numb. Feel vicariously warmed by these 5 sunny extensions.

4 May 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

4 May 2018 Houses Awards Shortlist 2018. Will You Pick a Winner? Houses Awards 2018 shortlist was announced recently, will you pick a winner? Also a story about what a sad child I was...

20 April 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

20 April 2018 Dark and Dingy to Big and Bright: 7 Terrific Terrace Renovation Ideas Terrace renovations are a challenge. How do you get light and a sense of space into a narrow block with neighbours all around?

6 April 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

6 April 2018 Concrete, the Silver Fox of Building Materials, Never Looked So Good We see you there, concrete. All cool, 'thic' and sexy. These 8 homes show us that concrete has never looked so good.

16 March 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

16 March 2018 WINTER IS COMING: How Not to Become a SAD, Translucent Shell of a Human Some tips to help you survive winter for when you're designing your new home or renovation. Because SAD is not becoming on anyone.

9 March 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

9 March 2018 This Week on the (Lunchbox) Bachelor: NZ's 10 Hottest Baches You're standing there in a stunning, Nicole-at-the-Oscars-esque azure gown, rose in hand. Who are you going to choose to be your Bach?

2 March 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

2 March 2018 Granny Flat Designs that Won't Make You Feel Like a Granny Granny flats can be more than a glorified caravan with lace curtains and a stale smell lingering in the air. Get a designer granny flat.

2 March 2018 (via Lunchbox Architect)

2 March 2018 Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Pinky Promise You Won't Be Boring? Kitchen renovations don't happen often. So when you get a chance to spruce up the most expensive room in your house? Don't stuff it up.

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