House Types & Eras

The post-war fibro house — cheap, thin-walled and everywhere. What it takes to make one liveable.

A Back Extension that Steals the Whole Damn Show

A contemporary extension brings this old Victorian into the spotlight—without stealing its thunder.

Holiday Homes & Weekenders

Second homes built for weekends and summers — smaller briefs, looser rules, and often the most inventive work.

Bluestone Sanctuary Reimagines a Richmond Miners' Cottage

This 170-year-old bluestone cottage gets a luxe and layered upgrade—without losing its old-world soul.

Seventies & Eighties Homes

Brown brick, dark timber and awkward plans. The 1970s and 80s houses now hitting their first serious renovation.

Past Meets Present: A Striking Art Deco Renovation in Sydney's East

Renovating a heritage home is like dancing the Charleston—honouring the rhythm of the past while bringing in a little flair of your own.

The 1920s and 30s — clinker brick, leadlight and tuck-pointing. Australia's interwar housing stock and how it adapts.

This is Kelly: An Interwar Gem Gets Her Groove Back

Kelly’s rebirth proves that timeless design and sun-drenched spaces can transform even the most forgotten homes.

Victorian-era houses that aren't terraces — villas, cottages and detached homes from the 1840s to 1900, and how they're being brought forward.

A Wise Woman Builds a Home: Proverbs14 House Reinvents a Family Legacy

A small Federation-era cottage becomes a tranquil haven with smart design, good flow, and loads of natural light.

Small, single-fronted and full of character — the Australian cottage, and what happens when you ask it to hold a modern family.

Big Ideas in a Compact South Yarra Townhouse

Hidden powder rooms, sliding steel doors, and hotel vibes—this townhouse is full of small-space magic.

Sculptural Laneway Home Turns Its Back (In the Best Way)

This two-storey Fitzroy North home uses its laneway boundary to create a lush, private inner-city oasis with a pool at its heart.

Blurring Boundaries: A Heritage Home That Flows Indoors and Out

Sun-drenched and stylish—skylights flood the open-plan kitchen with natural light.

A Modern Nod to Melbourne’s Beach Boxes

Why settle for a standard backyard when you can wrap your home around a lush courtyard? Baker’s House rethinks suburban living.

A Bold New Chapter for This Edwardian Beauty in Malvern East

A clever extension brings new life to this Edwardian home—wait until you see the double-height atrium!

From Deceased Estate to Dream Home: A Glamorous Art Deco Revival

This 1930s P&O-style home had stunning bones but needed a major rethink. See how it became a light-filled, modern family haven!

This Sydney Home Hides a Surprising Modern Secret

A classic Federation home on the outside, a sleek modern extension within. This Sydney renovation is full of surprises!

A Shadow That Shines: Silhouette House’s Thoughtful Evolution

A silhouette of Preston’s industrial past shapes this striking home, with a sunken lounge, sauna, and family-friendly design.

Treeview Terrace: The Little Terrace That Could (And Did!)

From dark and dreary to light, bright, and effortlessly cool, while still keeping it green and gorgeous...

You Won’t Believe This Home Started as a Tiny Coastal Shack

Forget cookie-cutter renovations—this one balances nostalgia with a bold new chapter, and the result is stunning...

Old Meets Bold: A Cottage Reborn in Style

Heritage charm, modern swagger. See how this Victorian cottage got a next-level makeover while keeping its soul intact.

Floods, Flights and Family: How This Renovation Overcame It All

From flood zoning to aircraft noise, this home overcomes challenges with clever planning and striking architectural solutions.

A Mid-Century Gem Reborn in Victoria’s High Country

Expansive paddocks behind the home evoke memories of Hampstead Heath...

Heritage Meets Modern: A Bold Reimagining of a Californian Bungalow

See how this Melbourne home went from dark and dated to a light-filled family sanctuary—complete with a moody theatre room!

Louvres, Timber & Sea Breezes: A Nostalgic Nod to the Past

A thoughtful reinvention turns a tired 1980s project home into a sophisticated family retreat.

Seamless Expansion: How to Grow Your Home Without Losing Its Soul

A double-gabled extension introduces height and light, creating a striking yet cohesive addition.

Preserving Charm While Building for the Future

Blending Victorian-era details with a contemporary design approach creates a home that respects two worlds...

Compact Design, Big Impact: Brunswick Home Renovation

Reviving a 1920s weatherboard for modern family living while preserving the home’s character and charm...

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Warehouse Conversions

As our inner city areas change from their industrial past to hip places to live, warehouse conversions are a popular and charismatic option.

Industrial Past Meets Contemporary Cool in Loft Apartment

A masterful blend of functionality and bold design in a compact space allows the owner to live large with less.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Apartments

Apartments are homes in the sky. Perfect for dense inner-city living, well-designed apartment buildings can create intensity and activity in cities and provide desirable living conditions for residents. Some apartment buildings provide in-building services such as gyms, tennis courts and swimming pools. Lunchbox Architect doesn’t feature apartment building projects, but we proudly feature inspiring examples of architecturally designed apartment interiors.

From Dark to Dazzling: Clever Design Transforms Cottage into a Haven

Clever design turns a cramped workers' cottage into a double-storey family home.

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Bach

Bach (pronounced like the start of 'bachelor' is New Zealand for beach-side cabin. Increasingly, Bach's are leading the way for low-fuss beach-side cabin style.

Timber, Sunlight, and Simplicity: A Federation Home Reimagined

A double-height void and timber framing create a serene, airy pavilion.

When History and Modern Design Collide

Clever light design and curves transform a cramped terrace into a haven.

Rammed Earth Walls and Passive Design Makes Every Season a Breeze

Forget the front door — this beautiful rammed earth home greets you with a friendly courtyard welcome.

How a Tiny 8 Square Metre Extension Transformed an 1830s Cottage

Small extension, big impact—see how a compact addition and a lot of thoughtful design transformed this historic home.

Beachfront Bliss: A Trio of Modular Masterpieces

Prefab magic! These houses arrived by barge and were installed in two days.

How Lakeview House Tames Winds and Frames Picture-Perfect Views

Sheltered from wild winds, this off-grid hilltop home opens up to breathtaking lakeside views. Explore its design secrets!

Californian Bungalow Redo: Where Functionality Meets Style

Can a home balance elegance and everyday family chaos? This Californian Bungalow renovation answers with a resounding yes!

Discover the Hidden Oasis in This Family-Friendly Heritage Home

Hidden challenges turned design opportunities—this Melbourne home proves heritage and innovation can live in perfect harmony.

Hidden in the High Country: This Alpine Escape is Every Skier's Dream Home

Imagine unwinding here after a day on the slopes—alpine living just got easier.

A Victorian Terrace Transformed: Surprising Light, Space, and Style

A heritage facade, a modern heart – discover the design that balances tradition with today’s comforts in a truly unexpected way.

The Secret to Coastal Living: No Fences and Flexible Spaces

Two separate boxes, open-air flow, and room for 14 guests – see the smart layout behind this coastal crib.

Heritage Meets Modern in Cronulla: A 1930s Bungalow’s Stunning Rebirth

A glass walkway linking old and new? See how this 1930s bungalow embraces change.

From Worst to First: How This Home Became the Street Star

Curved walls, clever design, and connection to the park—Fringe Dweller strikes the perfect balance between privacy and openness.

How a Simple Re-Design Transformed This 1970s Home for a Modern Family

It’s 70s architecture with a modern twist. Take a peek inside this thoughtfully redesigned South Yarra townhouse.

Vaulted Ceilings and Rural Views: A 1960s Bungalow Reimagined

This 1960s bungalow didn’t belong in the countryside… until it did. See the transformation!

Clever joinery unit is the Swiss Army Knife for apartment living

You won't believe how this 8.2m joinery unit transforms a compact apartment into a creative haven for this retired couple...

Discover how Avocado House blends 1960s charm with modern outdoor living

What’s it like to live in a renovated 1960s weatherboard home? See how this thoughtful transformation created a perfect balance of old and new.

Creative terrace transformation: Living large in Sydney’s Inner-West

How did heritage restrictions impact this renovation? Learn how clever design created a stylish, spacious home without expanding.

A modern farmhouse embracing its rural surroundings…

Inspired by old farm sheds, this contemporary farmhouse respects its rural roots while embracing sustainability and modern living.

A home that's been in the family for 50 years gets a modern twist...

This home has a heritage listed Fig Tree in the backyard! Rather than see it as a problem, the architects saw the opportunity!

Reimagining the Queenslander for modern living…

This thoughtfully designed renovation repositions a classic Queenslander on its site, creating distinct garden rooms and modern family spaces.

A clever side-by-side development that is both luxurious and energy efficient

A side-by-side subdivision that blends luxury and eco-conscious design in a way that proves you can have the best of both worlds…

From Neglected to Neighbourhood Gem in Haberfield

A beautiful heritage revival breathes new life into this old gem.

Clever Design Under One Roof: Maximising Space in Urban Duplex Living

How Kreis Grennan Architecture used smart design to create two spacious homes on a compact site...

This is how our homes should adapt to their climate and environment!

The home opens to embrace warmer weather, and closes down for cosy comfort in cooler weather among many other adaptable features…

This is not your average Bach Pad, that's for sure...

If your idea of a bach pad is leftover pizza, a brown suede couch, and a bathroom with one threadbare towel, you're in for a surprise!

A curvy idea turns a challenging block into a sunlit sanctuary

A surprising solution was the key to unlocking natural light and a sense of space on this dark, narrow site…

From dim to dazzling: Creating a light-filled family haven

Sunlit spaces and seamless design—this extension brings new life to this historic Victorian home.

Terrace Transformation: Maximising space on a long, narrow site

Every millimetre is put to good use with multifunctional joinery, and space-enhancing tactics in this terrace transformation.

Seamlessly blending the old with the new at this stylish addition

The sleek, all-white extension of Armadale Annex brings modern flair to a classic Edwardian home.

Reimagining Tradition: An Off-Grid Farmhouse in Carrickalinga

This modern farmhouse combines tradition with sustainability, offering stunning views and off-grid living in Carrickalinga.

Farmhouse charm with all the modern conveniences makes this home a dream

Combining energy-efficient design and a connection to the outdoors allows this modern farmhouse to offer the best of both worlds…

Architect packs a lot of functionality into just 25 square metres…

It looks like a glowing orb, but check out what secrets this futuristic brass pod is hiding!

The facade of this coastal home lets you balance privacy and light

Louvres, clerestory windows, and a unique floor plan help this coastal retreat perfectly connect with its natural environment.

What happens when architect and builder siblings create a home?

This renovation by a brother-sister team showcases the magic that happens when architect and builder collaborate seamlessly.

Harnessing natural light: An innovative solution for a narrow block

Innovative design transforms a challenging south-facing block into a bright, inviting home.

Eco-Friendly Beach Shack: Smart Design for Modern Living

From shack to sanctuary! Discover how a 1960s beach shack became a modern, eco-friendly family home...

A renovation 15 years ago left this home wanting. But not anymore!

Perfectly blending old and new, capturing the owners sense of style, and correcting mistakes of the past, this renovation nails it all.

This home bucks the trend of larger homes on smaller blocks...

A central courtyard helps this home harness northern light, retain the garden, and keeps the floor plan flexible for future change.

What would an architect’s island getaway for his family look like?

When an architect designs their own home, it creates some exciting results. See how this architect designed a home surrounded by nature…

YIMBY: Fitting more homes in our cities doesn't have to be ugly!

Hawthorne Siblings: Rethinking the traditional Queenslander for denser cities and stylish modern living...

Discover Heather's Off-Grid House: A Model of Sustainable Rural Living

This off-grid sustainable house balances modern comforts with off-grid sustainable living on a 37-hectare property in Birregurra.

Heritage Meets Modern: Richmond Hill House Rejuvenation

Richmond Hill House blends heritage charm with modern design, creating a timeless, sustainable home that adapts to family needs.

Traditional Calibung in front, but it's a different story out back!

This Californian Bungalow renovation looks classic from the front, but step inside and it begins to reveal its contemporary secret...

Transforming Tradition: A Stunning Edwardian Home Renovation

A heritage home with a modern twist, perfect for daily family life and hosting family and friends for longer-terms...

Have a Garage You Never Use? Put the Space to Better Use...

A double garage has the perfect amount of space for a new multi-functional studio the owners will get far more use out of.

Ply and Steel Joinery Items Turn This Heritage Warehouse into a Home

This heritage warehouse has been sensitively transformed into a home with the careful insertion of joinery units to divide the space.

Space-efficient Apartment Renovation Finds Room for a Home Office

Rearranging this apartment opens it up to the views, builds in lots of storage space and finds room for a home office space to boot!

Dark '90s Apartment Is Now a Bright Home Full of Coastal Style

The owners of this whole floor apartment in Manly loved the location, but not the dark unfriendly spaces. Luckily, there was a solution!

Compact Apartment Feels Luxurious with Hollywood-esque Dressing Room

Clever planning allows this small apartment to feel grand and glamourous. Wait until you see how the dressing room transforms...

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15 Architects Share Their Favourite Three Projects

Architects show us some of their proudest moments and explain what they love so much about what they do.

A Revamp Turns Tired '90s Townhouse Into Bright and Welcoming Home

It's hard to believe 1994 was nearly 30 years ago, but this home was sure showing its age. No more thanks to a fun and bright revamp.

Tired Apartment is Updated to Better Suit Queensland Living

Despite facing north-east, this apartment felt small and dark not at all appropriate for the capital of the sunshine state!

From Rolls Royce Factory to the Rolls Royce of Warehouse Conversions

If you've ever harboured an urge to live in a trendy inner-city warehouse conversion, be prepared to have some feelings about this...

This Studio Shows Us What's Possible in Our Own Backyard...

With housing (un)affordability growing and our city limits bursting, this project shows us there's still space in the inner city.

The Surprising Way They Managed to Extend This First Floor Apartment

Originally a simple apartment renovation project turned into something more after discovering air rights would allow them to extend...

This Compact Apartment is Like a Transformer to Maximise Space

A tired 1970s apartment undergoes a massive transformation without relocating structure or services.

What Happens When We Let Go of the Buy, Rent, Flip Mentality?

Creating a family home requires more than a coat of paint and some pretty cushions. It requires good design and long-term thinking.

Removing Internal Walls Gives This Home a Modern Open-Plan Vibe

By removing the internal walls of this unit and incorporating plenty of built-in joinery, it feels more spacious and modern.

This Fun-Filled Apartment Renovation Has a Rock Climbing Wall

Armed with a fun and adventurous brief, the architects of this apartment reno created a family home with surprises around every corner.

1970s Apartment Update for a Professional Couple and Their Bulldog

By opening up to kitchen to the living area and creating a better connection to the deck, this apartment makes better use of its space.

Clever Joinery and a Motto of Doing More With Less Is the Answer

Updates to this elegant, but out-of-touch 1940s home hark back to the era it was built - when houses were small but functional.

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