New Homes

Explore our collection of New Homes
featured on Lunchbox Architect.

New homes provide the opportunity for a completely custom design. Even on a modest budget, architects can design an affordable new home that’s perfectly suited to your needs.

This is our selection of stunning architecturally designed new homes:

A Light-filled Beach House Just Two Kilometres from the City?

With an incredible site just one street from the beach and close to the city, these architects built their ideal family home.

This Modern Beach House Design Celebrates its Spectacular Location

A modern beach house design replaces the ageing cottage on a property that has been in the family for over 50 years.

A New Home Defined and Enlarged By Its Connection to the Garden

A relatively modest-sized home feels more spacious and comfortable thanks to its connection to and interaction with five garden spaces.

How to Design a House for Three Generations Under the One Roof

Increasingly, multi-generational families are choosing to live together. In this case, how do we design homes which cater for everyone?

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Don't Do It!

So many decisions when building or renovating. Architect Wesley Spencer tells us what not to do so we don't make a design faux pas...

Getting the Basics Right Helps Architect Nail His First Solo Project

The careful siting of this new home helps it take full advantage of the sun and embrace a beautiful, bushy site.

What Role Do Our Homes Play in Helping Us Recover and Reset?

Settling into regular life takes some adjustment for a fly-in-fly-out worker who spends a month away from home. This new home helps.

This Beach House Wraps Around Itself to Protect from the Elements

Living near the beach has its pros and cons. A great beach house needs to embrace the sunshine while protecting from cold ocean winds.

This Suburban Home Finds a Unique Way to Connect with the Landscape

From the street, this looks like a house with no windows, but once inside you realise it's the exact opposite...

Timber Inside and Out Helps This Home Fit Into Its Bushy Site

When the inhabitants of your suburban fringe block include a number of old native trees, mimic their style and go timber all over.

An Affordable and Sustainable Tiny House (With a Heart)

Just because this tiny house is affordable, sustainable and socially responsible doesn't mean it's not stylish to boot...

A Short-term Home Away From Home Where Quality Trumps Quantity

Oikos, ancient Greek for 'home', is a short-term rental demonstrating luxury is achievable if we down-size our ambitions.

A House with a Guest Room is Created with Three Simple Pavilions

At this minimal home, the space in between the living area and bedrooms is just as crucial as the spaces themselves.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Building Budgets: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House?

So how much does it cost to build a house? Unfortunately, there's no easy answer, but here are a few tricks to get a good estimate...

Don't Build Over Your Garden, Grow Your Garden Up Instead!

Instead of sacrificing their productive garden, plants are encouraged to grow up the walls of this clever backyard studio.

An Off-Grid, Back-to-Basics Retreat Connects This Couple to the Land

This warm, textural home creates a connection to place, captures views and creates a humble retreat from the elements (and the city).

Can You Guess What Sets This Home Apart from the Rest?

Opening onto a huge deck, with incredible views from every room, you'll never guess what makes this country home so unique.

CABN Lets You Try Out Tiny House Living for Yourself

Could you live in a tiny house? CABN, an Australian tiny house tucked away in the Adelaide Hills, gives you a test drive (stay).

A Modern Take on the Traditional Fibro Beach Shack

Beachside towns were once dotted with simple fibro beach shacks. This modern home reinterprets that classic style.

Unlike Pesky Coffee Cups, This House is Designed to be Recyclable

It's surprising how many everyday items can't be recycled. Being fully recyclable, this home is surprising for the opposite reason!

A Dual-occupancy Project to Stand Out From the Rest

It's rare that we feature a dual-occupancy project on Lunchbox Architect, but the attention to quality makes this one stand out...

A Laneway Studio Designed as a Prototype for Developing Our Suburbs

Architecture as a political statement. What should our suburbs look like as we attempt to squeeze millions more into our cities?

An Affordable Home With Room for the Grandchildren and Honey Making

Rather than dedicate space to rooms that will rarely be used, create versatile spaces and spend your remaining budget on luxuries...

A New Home Makes the Most of an Unusual Site in the Inner City

It's not often you get to build a new house in the inner city. What would you do if you had a clean slate?

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Double-height Spaces Double the Drama (and Make Your Home Feel Larger)

'Does my lounge look big in this [double-height space]' you ask your partner, but for once you hope they reply, 'kinda, yeah'...

A New Two-storey House That Won't Upset the Neighbours?

A new house, in an old area, on a tight site, with space for a family of four that won't upset the neighbours? Are they dreaming?

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
Small House Plans: 18 Homes Under 100m² in Australia and NZ

18 architect-designed small homes from 27m² to 100m², across Australia and NZ. Floor areas, layouts and the ideas that make a small house feel big.

A New Home to Appeal to Lovers of Mid-Century Design

With views over the golf course, the architect achieved a mid-century-inspired design, while adhering to local design guidelines.

A Unique Place to Retreat When You Can't People Anymore

Perched on a hill in rural New South Wales, JR's Hut has all you need for the relaxing opportunity to switch off and reset.

A Multi-purpose Space to Work, Relax, Entertain and Enjoy the Views

Perched dramatically on a steep slope overlooking the ocean, this separate studio is the perfect retreat for work, rest or play.

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.

 (via Lunchbox Architect)
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...

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.

A Small Home With Big Volumes Designed to Embrace its Cool Climate

Built in an area that sometimes encounters snow, this home in the hills has a small footprint, but large volumes make it feel spacious.

This is the Trick to Adapting a Church for Modern Living

Old churches can be a challenge to transform into a home. There's the need to balance history and practicality. This is how you do it.

Shipping Container House Floats Among the Trees with Ocean Views

We're all a little bit obsessed with shipping container houses. You'll understand why once you take a look at this home...

A Sheltered Courtyard Protects From This Exposed Location

At the top of the hill overlooking Peka Peka Beach, this location could be hostile, but this home has a few tricks up its sleeve...

Tent House Challenges the Expectations of What a Weekend House Can Be

A retreat built by the architect and a group of architecture students is a hands-on, experimental process from design to construction.

A Home for Retired Musicians Has a Concert Hall-inspired Living Space

A shared love of music inspired this accessible, environmental and acoustically-conscious home for a retired couple.

A Home Built Around Connection With Each Other and the Landscape

With open-plan living and shared sleeping areas all opening onto the outdoors, this is a home to connect with nature and each other.

This Sydney Home Turns the Traditional Aussie House on its Side

A typical Australian home uses the full width of the block and puts a garden in front and out the back; this home is far from typical.

A New Breed of Bushfire Resistant Homes are Sprouting in Wye River

After the bushfire of 2015, Wye River slowly rebuilds. Let's hope all the new homes are as beautiful and sympathetic as this one...

A Courtyard for Outdoor Living Helps a Hobart Family to Downsize

Blessed with a large block in a good area, this family decided to downsize in the backyard, in spite of the constraints.

A Home That Explores Communal Living for Adults

This flexible new home built behind the existing is accessible by rear laneway; it could be used as a garage, studio or living space.

A Flexible, Multi-purpose Studio That Requires Very Little Land

By designing a separate, self-contained studio, this family have gained the extra space they need now and flexibility into the future.

Modern Timber Beach House Still Achieves Bushfire and Energy Ratings

Clever thinking achieves a simple timber beach house the client desired while still meeting bushfire and energy efficiency regulations.

A Distorted Roofline Conceals a Surreptitious Second Storey

In a street of single-storey timber houses, this playful new home reinterprets its neighbours so it feels at home in the street.

An Off-Grid, Sustainable House in the Victorian Central Highlands

Sitting sympathetically in an open paddock, this off-grid house captures views without compromising on environmental performance.

A Recycled Brick Garden Wall Creates an Inner-City Sanctuary

By dividing a complicated inner-city block into a patchwork, a new home sits comfortably between heritage buildings and gritty laneway.

Creative Entrepreneur Builds Home to Balance Design and Affordability

Experimenting with ideas of affordability without sacrificing liveability, North Street House is the perfect home for a young couple.

A Compact Home Makes the Most of Light and Space on a Tight Block

Bucking the trend of bigger houses on smaller blocks, this compact home borrows outdoor light and views to feel more spacious.

The Newest House on the Street Looks Like It Could Be the Oldest

Thanks to recycled brick, this new studio looks like it could be the oldest building in this Richmond laneway.

Turns Out Hemp Is Useful for More Than Rope and Yoga Pants

Built from rammed earth, timber and hempcrete, this home is a healthy and environmentally sensitive space for three generations.

A Home Designed to Get Better With Age, Just Like Its Retiree Owners

Precast concrete and timber combine to create a low-maintenance home that will get better with age.

This Country Shack Feels More Like a Tent or a Boat in the Landscape

Metaphors of sailing a yacht or camping out in a tent are conjured in this home on the banks of the Avon River.

A Contemporary House Puts A Modern Spin on Its Neighbourhood

Datum House uses the scale and proportions of its neighbours as the starting point for a modern and light-filled home.

A Modern Australian Home Nestles Into Stunning Natural Landscape

A combination of bricks, timber, corrugated iron and translucent sheeting help this home complement its semi-rural landscape.

This is How You Deal With an Unusual Triangular Site...

What do you do with a triangular site? Perhaps the best solution is to think outside of the box. Or triangle, as the case may be...

An Urban Take on the Traditional Aussie Beach House in Torquay

As Torquay becomes increasingly cosmopolitan with more permanent residents architects are rethinking the traditional Aussie beach house.

A Courtyard Connects Living and Sleeping Areas at this Beach House

Just a short walk from the beach and surrounded by Moona trees, a central courtyard is the link between this home and the landscape.

A Unique Family Home Covered Entirely By a Tent Structure

Tucked away in Noosa's bushy hinterland is a tent house - a place that gives the sense of permanent camping without sacrifice...

This Charming Home Is Inspired by Early Colonial Workers' Cottages

Dubbed the Urban Cottage, this modern take on a workers' cottage feels fresh and contemporary in-spite of its early colonial roots.

In a Neighbourhood of Workers' Cottages, There's One Dark Horse

Black sheep. Odd one out. Dark horse. Whatever you want to call it, there's something different about this home - and we love it!

A Tropical Home for a Couple to Sit Back and Enjoy the Bush Setting

A home near Noosa is designed for the area's sub-tropical climate and to maximise the owner's enjoyment of the bush setting.

This Modern Tropical Home is a Granny Flat for a Hip Elderly Couple

A modern retreat for an elderly couple built on the family property - the perfect spot to enjoy retirement close to family.

A Rural Retreat Fit for an '80s Pop Star and His Creative Family

Built for a family bursting with creative souls, this shack needed to be as stylish and as interesting as the people living in it.

Rusty and Weathered, This Home Looks Like It Has Been Here Forever

Built from recycled timber and rusting steel, this Mt Duneed home already looks old, yet is built to last with little maintenance.

A Home On a Challenging Site is Designed to Resist Bushfire

Built on a challenging site with significant bushfire risk, this home enjoys amazing views over bushland in the Macedon Ranges.

There's a Fully Equipped House Tucked Into This Suburban Backyard

This striking house of contrasting black and white with touches of warming timber is exciting and dynamic in-spite of its compact size.

Prefab-ulous Digs for a Couple of Jackaroos on This Malmsbury Farm

Staff quarters never looked so good. This prefab house is a modern and comfortable place to wind down after a long day on the farm.

Beachside Homes Inspired by a Nearby Pier's Proportions and Detailing

These two homes are built on a pier structure that highlights their unique creek-side location near the Mornington foreshore.

A Courtyard Brings in Light, Breezes and Ensures a Garden Outlook

House_B is essentially a C-shape, wrapping around a central courtyard to maximise light and breezes to the home. That gets an A+ from us.

Holiday Shack Blends Mid Century Modern with Australian Rural Shed

Inspired by Mid-century design with a touch of Aussie shed, this stylish shack is the perfect combination of cool and practical.

A Dramatically Modern Modular Home in Northcote

In contrast to the neighbouring weatherboard houses, this crisp, modern modular home makes a huge statement in this Melbourne street.

This Home Is Grounded Into Its Site by Walls of Gabion Baskets

A home set in an expansive garden is divided and sheltered into quadrants by cross-shaped Gabion baskets, creating a variety of spaces.

Modern Family Home Designed with Flexibility and Adaptability in Mind

Designing a family home is challenging because the family's needs change as they grow, that's why you have to plan for change.

This Off-Grid Prefab House Is Perfect for Beautiful but Isolated Site

To construct this off-grid home on Victoria's French Island, prefabricated modules had to be transported by barge to the isolated site.

Barny in Bank Street is an Urban Barn Perfect for Modern Living

Living in a barn is one thing, but living in a barn in the city? Well that sounds absurd, but it's a reality for this lucky family.

Folded Facades Give Two Identical Homes Their Own Identity

For cost efficiency this project creates two identical houses, but thanks to a clever folded facade each home fits the site.

Simple Details and Honest Materials Reflect Harsh Beauty of this Site

After the 2003 Canberra bushfires, this site was rereleased. The new home explores the idea of new beginnings for a young family.

A Modern Home Designed With Deference to Heritage Suburb

This double storey home is designed to look like a single storey home so it fits into its heritage neighbourhood.

"Rigorously Contemporary" Home in an Historical Neighbourhood

This modern home in an historic neighbourhood was designed by an architect as a home for him and his family.

A Modern Off-Grid Eco-House Surrounded by a Permaculture Farm

Supporting the clients' desire for a sustainable lifestyle, this off-grid home uses passive solar design to reduce energy consumption.

A Smaller Home Allows for Immaculate Details and Rich Materials

If you want the look and feel of luxury at your home, it pays to think a bit smaller and pay attention to the details.

Choose Flexibility Over Footprint to Save Money and Energy

With sliding doors and a fold down bed, a rumpus room/third bedroom provides built in flexibility while reducing the overall footprint.

Home Among the Gum Trees Makes the Most of a Sloped Site

This family home is nestled amongst the gums, cantilevering over the sloped site so it feels more like a treehouse than a regular home.

Former Site of a Public Toilet Becomes a High Tech Tower for Living

In Christchurch, a city still recovering from a devastating series of earthquakes, many are rethinking how they use their public space.

From Disused Inner-City Car Park to a Compact Family Home

From the street this modern take on the other single storey cottage in the neighbourhood. But things get interesting quickly...

'Your House Is Like a Box' Can No Longer Be Considered an Insult...

A young Wellington couple with a modest budget and small and challenging block chose a Box™ design-build for their first home.

This Townhouse on a Small Block Stacks the Backyard on the Roof

How to deal with a small block? Don't sacrifice the backyard, stack it on top of the house and you've got a sophisticated roof deck!

This Modular Home Was Built in 12 Weeks and Installed in One Day!

Want a new home for Christmas? With this beautiful modular prefab you could wake up in your finished home on Christmas morning...

Striking Prefabricated Home Settles Into This Stunning Rural Site

Clad in COLORBOND® steel with a contemporary take on the traditional pitched roof, this prefab house looks right at home in the bush.

An Energy Efficient Home Designed for its Owners to Age-in-Place

With an ageing population our homes must be designed to allow us to live in them as long as possible. This house shows us how.

When You Live in the Tropics, You Need a Home for Outdoor Living

Melaleuca House was designed to embrace an outdoor lifestyle for a family relocating from Darwin to more rural Howard Springs.

Australian Retreat Designed to Encourage a Laid-back Lifestyle

Waitpinga Retreat designed as a casual getaway immersed in the natural beauty of nature looks and feels very Australian.

A Thoughtful Home for an Elderly Widower and His Visiting Family

Built on a site with huge sentimental value, this home built for an elderly WWII veteran is low-maintenance, accessible and secure.

Love to Entertain? A Party at This House Can Spill Into the Courtyard

A home for entertainers who also travel a lot. Claremont Residence expands for parties or locks down when the owners are away.

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