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The unusual roof of the small but effective addition is the real winner - providing plenty of light to the small, overshadowed site.

Edwards Moore Architects's Cubby House is a pint-sized apartment packed full of fun. A cubby house made not for kids, but for sophisticated adults.

Tower House's owners and their 8 year old twin sons asked for a home 'for community, art and nature to come together'. They got a village.

A new living \'pod\' provides more than space at Mountford Road - bringing light, volume, air and dramatic results to this small-scale project.

An extremely small house extension transforms a heritage cottage. You'll be surprised the difference clever planning and small addition makes to occupants.

When designing this small, 100 m² home in Victoria's goldfields, Architects Design Office started with the dining table to make the house fun and sociable.

The age-old advice is to buy the worst house on the best street. Doll's House was the smallest house in the trendiest neighborhood, does that count?

An elegant and restrained timber addition provides the perfect modern living space for a family of five (plus two energetic dogs).

This space efficient home maximizes living spaces by cleverly concealing bedrooms behind Japanese inspired screens.

Hiding at the bottom of a London garden, this glowing writer's shed is the perfect whimsical escape for an author/illustrator who loves children's books.

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

Small but with delight, M House looks at how a modest renovation can make a positive contribution to the way a family live.

Modest extension creates an infinitely more liveable home compared to a previously gloomy and confused hodgepodge of poor additions.

Just because you live in an affordable, eco-friendly shipping container house doesn't mean all your neighbors need to know about it...

A focus on the small changes with the biggest impact was key to keeping the renovation of this 1980s project home budget-friendly.

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?

Considering an eco-friendly upgrade to your home? Look no further for inspiration than Collingwood Compact.

An architect wrestles with the romance of renovating a historic home and the challenge of meeting planning and regulatory requirements.

This compact addition proves small spaces can be highly liveable with plenty of storage, daylighting and a connection to the outdoors.

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

Small in both budget and footprint, but clever thinking and innovative solutions have produced a home which ticks all the boxes...

The smallest house on the block contains one of the largest rooms. What this house lacks in square metres it makes up for in volume.

Rattling around in your family home? Looking to free up extra cash? This guy did that by down-sizing to a stylish 'granny flat' at the rear of his property.

Mills House eliminates bulky cupboards by converting the floor into storage space, leaving the entire width of the terrace for living.

A classic Queenslander gets a small triangular extension which manages to dramatically change the functionality of the whole house.

On an extremely small parcel of land Beach Avenue House is designed more like a finely crafted joinery unit than a typical home.

North Perth House sets out to prove an affordable yet generous family home can be constructed on a small inner city block.

The narrow (3.9 meter) Erskineville House gets a spacious and light makeover thanks to a double height, multi-functional light-well.

A project home from the 1970s with poor solar orientation is reconfigured and realigned. Now it catches the sun for energy efficiency.

Despite only adding six square meters to this home, Welsh and Major's reconfiguration and tiny pavilion have made a dramatic difference.

When you've got a growing family, only 36 m² and a limited budget to play with, it takes a lot of imagination to create a workable living space…

Southern Highlands House's new tiny work space, feels more like an art piece than an office - well proportioned, beautifully curved and effortlessly simple.

The location was right. But it would take a lot of imagination and a leap of faith to transform this dilapidated shed into a home...

Moor House's family needed was a well designed renovation to provide space and privacy for their growing children. Oh, and all within just 4.5 meters width!

Mount Ninderry House is a sustainable house that takes full advantage of its stunning natural setting without the extra cost. And check out that pool!

This micro apartment is like an empty shell - to cook, dress, sleep, eat or entertain you have to rearrange modules and 'build' a new space. It's like lego!

Tang House is a compact but thoughtful terrace extension that utilizes every nook and cranny to create a versatile home that defies its size.

Discover how a 58m² two-story home optimises space for three generations, ensuring privacy and comfort in a compact family home design.

A two-storey addition to a Queenslander cottage which avoids raising the original home without taking up too much backyard space...

At 52 square metres, this two-storey terrace was about the same size as a two-bedroom apartment, now there's space to entertain guests.

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

Oftentimes when you feel like you need 'more house', the answer is actually to rethink the way your existing house functions...

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

This home defies its tight site by using screening and careful window placement to grab light and views without exposing itself.

Living in the inner-city means trading space for convenience. This project shows you, that trade-off isn't so bad.

It's not the size of an addition that counts, it's the functionality it adds to your home. This micro addition achieves hefty results.

When you need to fit a lot onto a small block, forget market expectations and look for light and functionality to suit your family.

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

Clad in shiny galvanised steel with arrow-like ends, this budget studio looks almost otherworldly in its country Victorian backyard.

A new studio space and garage are positioned on this rural property to create a sheltered entry for the exisiting home.

Your home doesn't need to be physically big to feel spacious. There are a few tricks to make your home feel larger than life.

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

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

Measuring in at just 11 square metres of additional space, this tiny addition punches above its weight for its size.

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 extension continues a tradition of relaxed, colourful and small-scaled modifications which have been occurring for generations.

We don't often feature multi-residential projects. But when we do, they're beautifully innovative projects like this one.

Previously the site of some outgrown kit homes, three seperate but clustered buildings provide space for all generations of the family.

Located on a windswept coast line, Moonlight Cabin is a place to retreat from and engage with the landscape’s ephemeral conditions.

Jones House is a home designed for Australian conditions proving architectural ideas can be achieved without big budgets and costly construction methods.

Heritage controls, difficult soil, tight access and a small west-facing block. A delightful, light-filled home on a difficult site…

In accordance with a local planning law, Arrowtown House is a series of small buildings similar to the the surrounding historic sheds.

This apartment renovation in the middle of one of Sydney's busiest suburbs still manages to capture the relaxed nature of a beach house…

A combination of materials in their raw state and a humble aesthetic make this New Zealand beach bach simply stunning.

The design of Orange Grove House is so good the clients couldn't stand to sell as they'd planned and decided to move in instead!

Ilma Grove is an extension to a heritage home in Northcote, Victoria. The extension provides more space and guarantees a sustainable lifestyle.

A series of spaces at this small weekender create numerous places sit and enjoy the inspiring surrounds which are comfortable year round.

This 'Bach' - a New Zealand term for a small holiday shack - is built inside a shipping container. It's a self-contained, portable, and fun retreat for a family of four.

Named Soe Ker Tie (Butterfly) Houses by the workers on site, these six innovative pavilions provide affordable accomodation for Thai orphans.

A highly crafted 'pod' extension achieves a level quality and joy in what is essentially a very simple, easy to construct little box.

This coastal cottage proves that quality always trumps quantity. The small house will age gracefully thanks to quality materials.

A modern home with great views, connection to the outdoors and a stellar location -- on a site the size of an average suburban garage.

Tucked into a particularly wild and isolated part of Victoria's Central Highlands you'll find this small bush house built with trees found on the site.

Bridge House takes full advantage of a naturally stunning site, straddling a creek bed and touching the earth lightly environmentally and physically.

Tight site, stringent planning and heritage controls, and a difficult orientation -- Nic Owen Architects pull off the architectural equivalent of a miracle.

This truffle-inspired hideaway could be a caveman's home. Paulina the cow had a role to play in this unusual home's construction. You'll never guess how...

Venus Bay Bach is a beach home built on a tight budget, but spacious enough to house family and friends for the weekend. And it doesn't ignore the views...

What if you outgrow the Mornington beach house that's been in the family for years? Architect Clare Cousins designed a 'treehouse' extension for the big kids.

Not a square metre goes to waste in this tight Darlington terrace renovation to create a modern, multifunctional home.

Most terraces are dark and pokey, but with pops of colour and a full-width opening to the garden, this home is bright and full of fun.

With clever planning and bringing light and framed views in at every opportunity, this long, narrow site feels surprisingly spacious.

Creating a light-filled addition where the garden and outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the living areas for year-round use.

You don't envisage a townhouse when you think of country town living, but this architect's own home is perfect for her family.

Internal courtyards are the answer to finding natural daylight and preventing overlooking issues in this inner-city renovation.

An injection of pattern and brings plenty of personality to this cottage addition, perfect for a creative young family.

Want a sustainable home, but don't know where to start? An architect can help you create a comfortable, sustainable home...

You might be surprised how little extra space you need if you take the time to get the floor plan right...

Trying to fit a home on a tight, triangular block with a busy street on one side and an easement on the other: crazy or brilliant?

An addition to the front is just one of the atypical parts of this project full of surprises and innovative solutions.

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

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

The rear of this home is redesigned to give an air of spaciousness, with an internal reconfiguration and the addition of two gables.

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

This heritage home has been renovated with new living spaces. A covered outdoor space ties all these new spaces together.

This new living space is a sun-lover. Turning to face the sun, it is also a fun and happy space, not to mention a cost-saver.

A home rich with character is updated to improve comfort, privacy and connection to the landscape without losing its vintage feel.

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

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

A series of small additions left this home's living areas dark and detached from the garden, but Trace Studio have changed all that.

An architect squeezes a new study and bedroom in the only available space on this tight Melbourne block - above the living area.

An unorthodox, but clever, renovation creates a series of light-filled flexible living spaces and creates the illusion of space.

What happens if you take historic Adelaide housing and give it a modern, considered and environmentally conscious twist?

In this woman's retirement plan? A desire to downsize and determination to age in graceful style in a city central apartment.

'Kensington Palace' challenges the idea that a home needs to be expensive and expansive to be your dream home.

Like all good '80s movies, this dated home has been given a modern reboot. The home was transformed within the existing footprint.

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.

A small addition and internal reconfiguration of a '60s home designed by a renowned New Zealand architect makes it fit for a family.

Rather than bifold doors, the rear of this house has a window seat with opening bifold windows to create an indoor/outdoor space.

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

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

Defying gravity, a protected timber box for sleeping zones sits on top of a glass box for living in this renovation of a Sydney semi...

Hilltop House is a small, carefully crafted dwelling on the steep eastern slopes of Pittwater, a waterway to the north of Sydney.

On a windy and exposed site, nestled behind a hill, sits a metal clad nugget; a home for a gold prospector and his family...

A series of separate, disconnected rooms are transformed by a central, open planned living space that maximises north light.

Built on top of an existing brick double garage, Stradwick House feels more spacious thanks to double height spaces and large windows.

A 1960s Architect-designed home undergoes 21st Century transformation into a gracious new house fit for modern living.

This superb Mountain Retreat utilises local stone to minimise impact to the external environment, but maximise the internal environment.

Turning this tight inner-city terrace into a light-filled, open-plan home for a family of five was a challenge. But was it a success?

A tiny terrace is transformed thanks to a new neighbouring addition that compliments and contrasts the original.

A modern, but sensitively sized addition transforms existing interwar home and saturates it in natural light - in-spite of a tiny site.

The prefabricated Collingwood House fits easily into its tight urban site, without feeling squeezed for space.

Sitting in an historic neighbourhood, House in House. Inside and out, it's a surprising alternative to its dark row house neighbours.

At Humbug Studio the striped canvas However, these canvas stripes are in fact deck chairs from which to view paintings hanging in the studio.

A grassy green courtyard fit for a cow (ok, not a real cow) at the centre of this renovated St Kilda House adds a bright new focus.

Renovating and extending a typical Victorian terrace always poses a unique set of challenges. Hawthorn House exceeds those challenges.

A pulley system extending through the atrium of this House Bruce Alexander is designed so the owners can store bicycles and winch them out of view.

Sliding Wall House makes the most of a small space by tucking a bedroom behind a sliding wall. One minute it's a desk, next it's gone…

The narrow Left-Over-Space House demonstrates what can be achieved on the myriad of ‘left-over’ spaces in our inner-cities.

In this case, the Green House effect is the impact light and air can make to a family home for a florist…

A modest retreat provides shelter, warmth and comfort in the wild and isolated of the remote setting.

A tiny barnacle-like extension creates a sense of camping or sleeping in the berth of a yacht, but with framed views of the landscape beyond.

Aperture House uses the humble brick in imaginative and experimental ways which belie the modest scale of the spaces.

Looking for a small extension but the expense to outcome ratio is out of whack? The Backyard Room might be just what you need.

This small house is sustainable, low-maintenance, affordable and it's pre-fab so it arrives (practically) ready to move into.

Japanese Architects are used to dealing with tiny sites. Love House has enough space for a couple (and a bunny) in just 33 square meters.

Tackling difficult topography, a heavily treed site and a modest budget, Blackpool House defiantly lofts amongst the treetops - a modest, modern treehouse.

A house inspired by 20th Century naval camouflage. There's something you don't hear everyday…

Dramatic topography, bush setting and diverse climatic conditions were the driving forces in this environmentally friendly design.

The Delta Cabin uses local materials which contrast with the natural surroundings, while still feeling warm and human.

To make the most of a tiny site -- 10 x 15 meters -- amongst low lying neighbors this double story home was partially submerged.

Two homes. Both owned by the same family. A new extension designed to flank the rear of both homes to provide extra space.

Islington House brings sunlight deep into the home and shows off the personality of its owners. A unique home for a unique couple.

Tucked away in a subdivided backyard in Melbourne's Inner North, Nest Architects created a delightfully compact two-bedroom home with a beautiful sunny garden.

The Studio is inspired by Mighty Mouse. Bright red, yellow and matte black, this tiny apartment is designed to pack a punch -- in spite of its size.

Pump House is a compact, off-grid home for simple living. Owners and guests can enjoy a quiet night, a cup of tea and quality time with their horse, George.

Permanent Camping brings you in touch with nature in a way only camping can. And because it's permanent, you can forget wrestling with poles and pegs...

Discover how a first-time homebuyer revamped their space for family life with smart design, warm materials, and functional updates.

This Art Deco home renovation references the original to create a home that is full of character and perfect for modern living.

Architect attempts to design her own renovation of a 1950s stunner while heavily pregnant. What could possibly go wrong?

This old home needed rebuilding from the stumps up, but the result is an energy-efficient, all-electric family home.

Transformation of a century-old cottage into a share house for mother and adult daughter with space for bonding and personal retreats.

Discover how a dated 1950s brick house was masterfully renovated into a stunning, light-filled contemporary home in Melbourne.

This beachside apartment had the makings of a beautiful home. It just needed some assistance…

Transforming a run-down, dark and poorly insulated Californian Bungalow into a comfortable, efficient and sustainable home...

What does the dream home of a multi-creative look like? Beautiful details, a relaxed beach house vibe and a healthy splash of colour.

Two pavilions offset to capture light and views and create a sheltered courtyard help this home look and feel much larger than it is.

Creating a modern home that takes advantage of its semi-rural setting with plenty of mid-century flair is no simple task...

This home has a surprise at the end of the typically ornate Edwardian-era hallway, and it's far from your average terrace renovation!

Moving from their large family home where the kids grew up, this family opted for a modern home closer to the things they love.

The owners of this coastal block enjoyed years of beach holidays before deciding to build. Here's how it shaped their home...

Good design means you can live larger with less, meaning this compact home feels bright, spacious and surrounded by greenery.

A house can become dysfunctional as poorly planned renovations alter the layout and strip away original details. But it can be fixed!

Getting light into living areas with a south-facing backyard is tricky. Here it's handled elegantly for an efficient and bright home.

When thinking about how to create a sustainable and affordable home, the 1960s-era fibro beach shack was the perfect inspiration...

To create space for the kids as they grow, this new bedroom wing sits beautifully in the landscape and meets BAL requirements.

On a tricky, but naturally beautiful battle-axe site, this home celebrates its assets and minimises its drawbacks.

Others overlooked this heritage-listed home because of its exposure on three sides, but a playful addition turns it into an asset.

This home, inspired by a jewellery box, is perfect for your most treasured people and possessions: beautiful, safe and ordered.

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

Transforming a 1980s house into a warehouse loft-inspired home involved removing the roof but the results are more than worth it!

Defying its narrow site, challenging east-west orientation and heritage restrictions, this skinny home manages to feel spacious.

The only way was up at this home, but renovating meant this family were able to achieve everything they wanted without having to move.

With the option of renovating or selling, this family chose to renovate to stay in the area they, but that was easier said than done!

'It's the way things have always been done' doesn't mean it's the best solution! Questioning the norm can unlock hidden gold...

This post-war brick house has been transformed into a stylish modern home with a thoughtful addition and creative reworking.

This flexible beach house is the perfect surf trips big and small because it's focussed on the outdoors to create extra living space.

On the corner of two main thoroughfares, a new room conceived as a large balcony gives this home a way to connect with the community.

A back deck completely transforms the functionality of this home, creating a hub connecting living areas with the backyard.

Renovating is a messy art full of compromise but, if you roll with it, the result can be the perfect-imperfect home for your family.

The neighbours are shifting uncomfortably in their seats as this new kid on the block shows them what modern living should look like...

Previously a general store, this South Melbourne terrace is now a light-filled family home while retaining its character and quirks.

This space-defying addition proves just because you don't have a lot of space to extend doesn't mean you can't make a big impact.

This granny (and gramps) flat is the perfect place for a retired couple to call home: close to family, yet private and comfortable.

An incredible collaboration between the owners of a furniture company and the architects creates a light and bright coastal home.

The clever addition has been sliced and diced to deal with all the constraints of the site, but it guarantees light, space and views.

Renovating a heritage house the right way means you can enjoy the benefits of a modern home while respecting the house's history.

This stunning modern Australian beach house has a whole wall of glass, taking in spectacular views of the beach and headland beyond.

Emulating the solidity of the original 150-year-old cottage, this concrete and brick addition is sure to be around in another 150 years!

A simple, two-room addition radically transforms the feeling and liveability of this previously dark, introverted home.

This family extended their Queenslander over the years, but something had to be done to pull it all together and make it liveable again.

When you've got a tight block, you need to use every square centimetre. That's how you make a compact home feel spacious.

A new opening with integrated seating transforms this home from dated colonial-style, to modern, minimal and cool. What a difference!

Instead of demolishing this unit, the architects reimagined it, transforming it into a modern and light-filled 3-bedroom home.

Inspired by a nearby converted factory, this home brings its own spin to the saw-tooth roofline and the inspiration doesn't stop there.

This environmentally-considerate home is carefully planned to ensure it's compact yet spacious: the least house necessary.

The small, pokey and often dark spaces of many older homes don’t provide the space young families need, but you can change that...

The carefully crafted folds of the ancient art of origami create something new and unexpected. It's a similar story with this reno...

A new covered deck is the showpiece of this home's transformation, drawing its owners out to enjoy the backyard.

With a slim budget, demolition of the rear of this home was not an option. But an even slimmer bathroom was part of the solution...

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

By designing a new, open-plan addition to this heritage home, the owner has a light-filled space to inspire his creativity.

Buying an extra slice of land from the owners' corporation enabled this 1960s one-bedroom unit to become a modern three-bedroom home.

Extending heritage homes respectfully is a challenge. Allowing this addition to recede into the shadows was the sensitive approach.

On a tight, south-facing site, the various spaces of this addition are expertly arranged to ensure maximum benefit with minimal fuss.

This modern addition is more like a supporting actor, allowing the charm and beauty of the original home to shine through.

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

Splitting this home into two separate pavilions creates flexible spaces which also solves a number of challenges.

When you've got active young kids, your home must be robust enough to withstand a lot of punishment. This kitchen is built to last.

Many old terraces are dark and pokey, but thanks to a tricky secret behind those doors, this terrace is now light, bright and spacious.

Life can change a lot in 10 years, so what do you do if your home no longer fits in with your life? Move or renovate?

If you're noticing a bit of an underwater theme in this home, it's no accident. This is a home for a keen scuba diver!

Perched House is a renovation that defies perceptions - feeling much larger than it actually is thanks to some clever tricks.

Inspired by the spaces and ornamentation of the original home, this home plays with light and space to create a dramatic addition.

With a passion for sustainability, these owners salvaged whatever they could to reduce the carbon footprint of their renovation.

This home's meticulous maintenance record details upkeep such as 'biannual repainting'. It was in A1 condition, but still needed modernising.

Light and dark, east and west, new and old, Dark Light House's new living pavilion contrasts without simply doing the opposite.

We love to get out and enjoy the backyard, but too often our homes are disconnected from our outdoor spaces. Here's what you can do...

Sometimes the constraints that can make a project more difficult end up creating something unique and wonderful.

Transforming a dark Californian Bungalow into a sun and fun-loving family home with some clever renovation ideas.

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 family of five create a joyful home with a series of open, colourful and light-filled spaces for their energetic young family.

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

Owned by a landscape gardener, this 1880s bluestone cottage is now connected to the garden and full of natural light and sea breezes.

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

The architectural equivalent of a lamington made with Swiss cheese and dusted with paprika sounds like a recipe for disaster, but is it?

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

Where a traditional terrace is dark and cellular this renovation finds light and open space, creating an addition of contrasts.

This compact home was made even smaller yet better, proving the amount of space you have is less important than how you use it...

A beautiful attention to details and respect for the original home creates a modern space that effortlessly blends old and new.

An extension designed to appear more like a random collection sheds belies the clever, considered spaces within.

After buying a "rough" knocker-downer in the 'burbs, builder/designer/snow boarder, Robbie Walker decided to renovate instead.

A new living pavilion built from concrete blocks and with large windows facing the sun contrasts with the original weatherboard home.

This architect used the renovation of his home to improve his mental health and immunise himself and his family for the future.

No, it's not a Clive Palmer/Gina Rinehart franken-baby. It's a suburban beach house with a view.

Small changes can make a huge difference to the comfort and practicality of a home. New windows and a pivot door transform this studio.

Apartment living for new parents is not very common in Australia. Can it be done, or is the siren call of the suburbs too strong?

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.

From the heritage facade you'd never expect to find this light-filled, colourful and playful home which spills into the backyard.

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

It can be costly, but moving the 'unmovable' like a bathroom or kitchen in your renovation could be the best decision you'll make.

Unlike many of the ubiquitous lean-to-style additions in the area, this modern lean-to transforms the original home.

Every square metre counts when you don't have much space. You need to be smart and make every element do more than one thing...

This Sydney apartment has undergone a clever and refreshing renovation which uses joinery and detailing to create a grounding calm.

Brunswick has a rich history of bluestone quarries and brickworks. Quarry House updates a Victorian terrace with this history in mind.

After a series of ad-hoc alterations, this long-time family home was in need of a major overhaul - it was raised, built-in and under.

If you love '60s style, decor and art, you'll have to take a look at this swinging transformation on the Gold Coast.

It takes a lot of 'stuff' to run a family. Just because you're interested in sustainability doesn't mean you need to go without...

At just 36 square metres, this compact yet thoughtful addition creates space for cooking, eating, writing, sitting and more...

This compact inner-city townhouse has been transformed from an unremarkable '70s era building into a timeless, light-filled home.

Both architecture and furniture, the joinery unit designed to fit in the middle of this studio apartment allows for numerous functions.

Meaning 'shield' in Old French, Escu House creates an expanded North facing living area protected by floor to ceiling timber screen.

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

A small extension combined with 'reprogramming' the original layout means more natural light and a better connection to the outdoors.

Searching for a sustainable alternative to urban sprawl, REFRESH*DESIGN have developed an infill-development branded ‘my gardenhouse’.

This two storey house near the beach was designed like an arrangement of stacked boxes to create protected balconies and decks.

Carefully planned around a central courtyard to maximise light and connection to the garden while minimising its impact on the street.

A stainless steel net for growing deciduous vines wraps this narrow home, transforming it into a nest for vertical family living.

The entire ground floor of this house has become one continuous indoor/outdoor space thanks to a well conceived alteration and addition.

A lot of mistakes were made in the '80s, Nic Owen Architects attempts to rectify one of them with a modern pod-like extension.

Thanks to a double-height space and an expansive openable wall of glass to capture the view, this home feels positively spacious.

The most minimal house you could imagine - a platform for living within a translucent shell, set in a beautiful natural landscape.

The perfect retreat for a director and camera operator in the film industry, this home has no shortage of cinematic drama.

A compact weatherboard cottage explodes from the sides of a prefabricated shed to provide space for an illustrator to live and work.

A magnificent 100 year old fig tree and a small creek are treated as sacred elements in this home which embraces its environment.

There's not much diversity (or sustainability) in your average project home. With a bit of luck, Erpingham House will change all that.

In the Californian desert temperatures can soar to over 40 degrees. This family built a home without air-conditioning - are they mad?

This renovation revolved around the premiss of maximising spaces and opening up to the generous view and natural light.

In spite of a compact footprint, this home feels spacious and light thanks to a completely non-existent fourth wall.

Jost Architects mediate heritage controls and an eager client brief to deliver a delightful update to an inter-war home.

With a fun colour scheme, humble materials and nooks to while away the day, Field Way Bach reminds us of back-to-basics beach holidays.

Using the colours of an 18th Century fire starting kit as inspiration, Breathe Architecture create a dramatic inner-city space.

Despite strict heritage controls and a tight site, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects manage to deliver this charming and bright home.

Everyone loves to get away to the beach for the weekend, luckily this house can accomodate all of the extended friends and family.

A new home in a neighbourhood of large houses scales back the status quo to provide ‘just the right amount of space’ for a family.

This modern farmhouse combines a manager's residence, stable and self contained two-bedroom apartment in finely detailed modern sheds.

Skin-Box House is a compact but refined home that maximises the sense of space with full height glass and quality materials...

Like a giant three dimensional puzzle this home defies its tight block with no views, houses on each side and a high wall to the north.

A home previously owned by the client's Grandmother wasn't a good fit for a young family. An innovative extension changes all that.

Brick Bay House's L-shaped plan has a number of benefits - sheltering from winds, blocking road noise and embracing the ocean view.

Sliding cedar shutters provide this otherwise glass box with shelter, privacy and a camouflage cloak — preparing it for every situation.

Rammed Limestone is the perfect material for Wall and Wall House — locally sourced, beautiful texture and natural colour and high thermal mass.

Black Rock House successfully meshes elements of old and new to create a cohesive and comfortable family home.

Carefully curated views help Neutral Bay House to feel brighter, connect to the garden and defy its tightly confined urban site.

A home on the family property for a retiring couple, Storrs Road House aims to reflect in miniature the site and its history.

This Artist's Studio is a beautifully detailed, creative space for painting and sculpting to encourage and inspire creativity…

Eyrie Houses demonstrate just how decadent the holiday home has become. And how rewarding returning back to basics can be…

Substantial alterations to an Arts and Crafts house explores the potential of verandahs and decks to become supplemental living spaces…

Off form concrete draws on the solidity of an original masonry structure whilst introducing a new materiality at this home in Glebe.

With panels of fibro coloured to match the surrounding area, this 'dune-hopper' home feels modern but relevant to its seaside locale…

The site of Invermay House has a great view over Ballarat, but vegetation hid the view. This new home cantilevers to capture it back.

Hill End Ecohouse in Queensland is a new home constructed almost entirely from the house it replaced and a leader in sustainability…

When a family of four decide to renovate their terrace on a tiny site, some big ideas need to be packed into a little space.

Concrete House features a tapered concrete second story which focuses the view of a garden and the city beyond.

The Armadale House addition creates an open plan living area with a great connection to the garden, maximising the small site.

A Miesian inspired glass pavilion in a rural landscape setting not dissimilar to that portrayed in a Claude Monet painting…

A new house set in a compact urban site, Woollahra House has a relaxed yet rich garden landscape of indoor and outdoor rooms.

In the inner city it's not always wise to rely on an aspect. In the case of Diagonal House it made sense to embrace a sunny northern aspect.

An eclectic couple of homes in Sydney's Marrickville demonstrates a new model for urban consolidation…

Like a real doll's house, this addition is two spaces stacked on top of each other and uses furniture and joinery to divide spaces instead of doors and walls.

This innovative prefabricated studio was the first of its kind in New Zealand, and what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty!

By replacing space lost to the renovation with a roof deck, Stick House ensures not a millimetre of outdoor space is sacrificed.

There's no moat at Fortress House, but this quiet weekend retreat ensures a private, relaxing counterpoint to the owners' busy lives.

MAMIL haters, beware. Bike House is designed for a family of four bikes-lovers who have foregone the family car for a two-wheeled alternative.

A new rear extension, much of which is under the existing house, creates a new-found connection to the backyard on this sloping site.

Clad in burnt timber and weathered steel sheets, Pacific House is a beautiful house that takes full advantage of the dramatic site.

Local House is playful and intriguing — designed more like a favourite local café than a private house — creating spaces for connection and bonding.

From possum-infested DIY-renovated nightmare to sunny and spacious home, Holden Street House has been transformed.

Bridport Residence extension grabs northern light and creates a quiet safe haven to the rear of the property.

With the help of friends and neighbours this beautifully crafted home was realised on a budget closer to a caravan than a family home.

ArchiBlox' Carbon Positive Prefab House means it's no longer enough to just be carbon neutral, when you can be carbon positive.

From the front it's an unassuming Californian Bungalow. From the rear, undeniably modern. It's a new type of house — a blurred house.

After a number of minor additions over the years, Patterson Street Residence is reinvigorated with a modern extension to the rear.

Middle Park Studio isn't a house. But if it were, it would be a great example of how we can develop backyards with laneway access into smart, sustainable homes.

A modest, energy efficient home in New Zealand's spectacular wine country makes the most of sweeping views…

A contemporary extension of this Elsternwick House is clad in contrasting dark zinc to draw a very deliberate line between new and old.

As you round the corner of this quiet street, a cheery extension greets you. Quite literally… It says 'Hello'.

Cubo House is a sustainable home which celebrates its history via restored existing elements and upcycled features using the surrealist technique 'Cubomania'.

It can be a challenge to enjoy indoor/outdoor living without sacrificing your privacy. Birchgrove House achieves the perfect balance.

Talk about a constrained site - this light-filled addition is a small inner city block sandwiched between 14 adjacent properties.

This family know how to save serious Won. They created a modern and bright container home using just three 20' shipping containers. A translucent skin provides extra space at a rock-bottom price...

Nestled on the banks of the Murray River in Victoria, Australia, this tiny self-sufficient cabin retreat becomes part of the wider landscape.

Some call the 1960's cream brick house ugly but this one has transformed into a spacious family home suited to its semi-arid climate.

In the middle of a bustling Vietnamese city, architects a21studio have designed a low-budget but high-style oasis for a renowned architecture writer.

The craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts period has been skillfully reinterpreted to create a modern extension which feels right at home next to the original home.

Welsh and Major Architects transform a late Victorian, inner Sydney home in a garden room.

At Beachcroft Orth Residence, screens and glazed garage doors allow internal spaces to spill into the outdoors.

Aireys Inlet House -- like all good second homes -- creates connection to nature in contrast to the clients' busy city lives.

The Great Ocean Road House proves that extraordinary locations sometimes call for a simple architectural solution.

Despite prescriptive council requirements, 10 (!) adjoining neighbors and a difficult orientation, this home defies the odds to become a light, welcoming retreat.

Dogtrot House is a permanent campsite. Like early one room cabins built by farmers, it has everything you need and nothing you don't.

To maximise space, a lush curtain allows this tiny apartment to multitask, hiding a fold up bed and a world of storage…

A fun extension for a young family is unashamedly contemporary, but takes its architectural cues from the house it expands on.

From very early on it was clear that a simple box would dramatically improve the amenity of this home. And what a beautiful box it is!

Can you spot a Japanese influence in Engawa House? 'Engawa' is an exterior hallway on Japanese homes -- the inspiration for this new extension.

\"This exhilarating location with its towering eucalyptus trees and diminishing scars from that phenomenal day required a design response equally as unique.\

How exciting to unload an architecturally designed house off a truck, unwrap it (like a giant Christmas gift) and move straight in -- with Happy Haus, you can!

There are a lot of things to consider when planning an extension. Haines House's new raked roofline solves a number of problems effortlessly.

The Dragonfly is a self-contained addition to an existing holiday home. It maximizes views and appreciation of the site as a model for compact living.

Parure House in Melbourne's inner suburb Kensington is a matching set of separate architectural ideas. It displays a richness of detail and experience.

The difficulty of a cottage renovation is connecting old and new. Fremantle Addition reinterprets the original limestone cottage to connect with restraint.

Salt Creek Rural Retreat is a one bedroom, one bathroom sustainable accommodation. The tiny prefab building enjoys beautiful views over 20 acres.

In true glamping style Kurreki Beach Retreat has real beds but opens completely onto a courtyard and uses mosquito nets and shower curtains where necessary.

Bushfire regulations are a challenge. Homes can end up like bunkers. Chenchow Little's Stewart House is a bushfire proof house that doesn't sacrifice looks.

You wouldn't expect a modest, low-budget renovation in Sydney's luxe suburb Tamarama. Despite the budget, this house has some Tamarama glamor -- Glamarama.

Brunswick House is restrained and space-efficient, but surprising spaces like a rooftop terrace provide a new perspective on its eclectic neighborhood.

Casa 31_4 Room House is a Coolgardie Safe for living. But it also uses the layering of history to transition a traditional house into a vibrant modern home.

Karri Loop House has two irregular-shaped courtyards which are centered around three majestic native Australian trees. This is what happens when trees are given the chance to shine.

You don't get homes much more unusual than Cocoon -- a zeppelin-shaped home lofts above its steep site, nestled in the canopy of Australian native treetops.

Sled House sits in two sleds making relocating it with a tractor a cinch. The whole area is within a coastal erosion zone; All structures must be removable.

Lightbox House by Edwards Moore Architects transforms a cramped and dark terrace into a light, bright wonder. Perforated floor, translucent ceiling and all.

Do you prefer the charm of traditional homes? But you also like to have a modern kitchen, spacious rooms, and open plan living areas. Perforated House proves you can have both — even if you build a new house from scra...

Rachel Nolan of Kennedy Nolan Architects designed a weekender for her family called Merricks Beach House. It cleverly redefines the Australian beach house.

Polygreen is a printed fiberglass box in a neighborhood of red brick warehouses. The contrast is striking - a home covered in vibrant green.