Rozelle II

**A Family Home Reimagined**

When a young couple approached me to redesign their weatherboard cottage in a charming heritage conservation area, they had already seen the transformation of a nearby house I had worked on for some friends of theirs. Impressed by the design, they sought my help to update their own home, which had become a bit outdated and lacked the space they needed for their growing family.

The existing house was a traditional semi-detached cottage, with a wider-than-usual side setback and a backyard that sat a bit higher than the main floor due to the natural slope of the land. The house had potential but required a design that would respect its heritage while offering modern functionality and a greater connection to the outdoors.

The first design move I suggested was a bit unconventional: to position the new staircase outside the existing building envelope, using the wider side setback as an opportunity. My clients were initially surprised by this suggestion, as they had envisioned a more traditional approach of placing the stairs within the existing structure. However, this decision proved to have many benefits: it minimized the need for costly alterations to the existing ground floor, opened up more usable space on both levels, and importantly, allowed us to bring in abundant natural light—a critical feature, given the home’s shaded location.

The design features a seamless flow of nature into the home, with several intentional touches that frame the outdoors. In the kitchen, a large bifold window opens directly onto the raised backyard, creating an effortless connection between the interior and exterior. Skylights and strategically placed windows throughout the house also bring in natural light and allow residents to enjoy views of the surrounding greenery, adding to the overall sense of calm and spaciousness.

Inside, the home is warm and inviting, with clever details such as storage built into the space beneath the staircase, maximizing every inch of the floor plan. The exterior combines the charm of traditional weatherboard cladding with modern touches, like custom metal surrounds on the rear-facing windows, and corrugated steel roofing on the front verandah, which ties into the original style of the house.

One of the most rewarding parts of this project was reinstating the original front porch, which had been enclosed by a previous owner. This now creates a lovely space for the family to sit outside in the evenings, engage with neighbors, and foster a stronger sense of community—something that’s important as they raise their young boys.

Now that the project is complete, the family is enjoying their home, and it’s truly become a joyful, love-filled space where they can create lasting memories together. The blend of old and new, along with thoughtful design choices, has resulted in a home that is both functional and beautiful, offering a comfortable environment for their growing family.