Wollongong Architects

Behind a modest shopfront on Kiama’s main street, this studio reveals itself as a quietly composed interior — designed by and for the architecture team it houses.

Conceived as an insertion within an existing concrete shell, the fitout is designed to read as a standalone object rather than a lining to the space. Exposed base-building elements – concrete floor, soffit, and services – were left visible, with new work inserted carefully and minimally. The material palette favours Australian materials such as recycled hardwoods, and showcases the work of local trades and craftsmen.

Perched on a steep site above Kiama Harbour and Surf Beach, this residence forms one half of a carefully composed pair of coastal homes. Oriented to capture sweeping views through the treetops to the ocean beyond, the dwellings were designed in tandem following the subdivision of the original block. While the upper home was conceived as a private holiday retreat for the client, this lower residence was designed speculatively, to suit a range of future occupants. The plan is flexible and restrained, offering a considered response to site, aspect, and potential lifestyle. Balconies and courtyards are positioned to preserve privacy and view lines between the two homes while maintaining solar access and spatial generosity. A shared material palette of charred Australian Ironbark and recycled brick provides durability
against harsh coastal conditions and brings visual cohesion, anchoring both homes gently into the landscape. Internally, the lower level is grounded in robust materials, including burnished concrete floors, limewashed brick walls, and perforated steel. The upper floor is softened and refined with Victorian ash, terrazzo, and whitewashed plywood. As night falls, lighting illuminates the hit-and-miss brickwork at the entry, casting a quiet, lantern-like glow.

Located on an elevated position above Kiama Harbour and Surf beach, this project involved subdivision of the block and development of two houses - one as a holiday home for the client and the other to be sold upon completion. Working with the steep contours of the land, the client’s home is located at the top of the block, maximizing sweeping views of the coastline.

Ensuring privacy and amenity for the occupants of the new homes while maintaining the view lines from the neighbouring properties has been achieved through considered positioning of the buildings, balconies and courtyards. Charred Australian Ironbark and recycled brickwork cladding offer durability against the harsh conditions of the coastal environment and create visual coherency, with the two structures sitting modestly on the site.

A state heritage listed Victorian terrace reworked to accommodate a busy, city based family of four. A rear extension comprises a kitchen and dining space that spills onto a rear courtyard, and a third storey concealed within the existing roof space provides additional floor area while satisfying the strict guidelines of the heritage conservation area.

Within the original building, space was reconfigured to accommodate an additional bathroom and laundry. Considered placement of new glazing and skylights provide generous natural light to the previously dark, south facing rooms.

Sitting low in the gully of Gerroa, this alterations and addition's project settles within the surrounding landscape. The project emerges from its surrounding context of the coastal beach house. The view from the streetscape sees the new addition carport under the shade of the existing Casuarina. Hardwood cladding silvers in the afternoon sun and the houses breathes with salty Gerroa air.

Landscape- Formed Gardens

Landskip House is a compact coastal home located on Dharawal Country.

Landscape design - Phillip Johnson Landscapes

Sitting on a large, corner allotment with southern views along the coastline to Jervis Bay, this new home provides ample space and flexibility for a professional couple and their three young children to grow into.

Exposed to southerly winds and storms and fronting the major access road to the local beach, shelter and privacy were the driving factors of the design and spatial planning of this generously-sized five bedroom home. Three pop up roof structures pull natural light and glimpses of the treetops and sky into the living spaces while shielding the inside of the house from the passers-by on the street.

An existing modest brick dwelling has been stripped back to its slab and internal masonry walls to be transformed into a practical, purpose built home for a sole occupant and her adored dog, Moe.

The significantly altered floor plan is compact and efficient, maximizing integrated storage that has been designed in detail to accommodate the clients active lifestyle.

A two storey beachfront home extended and modernised to allow a busy couple with three teenage children to come together as a family or escape to their own space. The 1960’s house had suffered a series of poorly laid out extensions and renovations with living spaces that were disconnected from the vast backyard.

Now, a new and expansive open plan kitchen, dining and living room opens directly onto a deck overlooking a pool and landscaped yard, beyond which lies a pool house with additional entertaining space. Upstairs comprises a generous and self sufficient master suite with the main bedroom and living area overlooking the beach.

Positioned at the southern end of Werri Beach with a north-eastern outlook over the Pacific Ocean and mountain views to the north and west, the 1970’s house has been significantly altered and extended to provide a spacious new home for a young family of four.

While the ground and upper floors were retained, the spatial layout was re-organized and large banks of new glazing added to open the living spaces up to the surrounding vistas.

The brief for this rural retreat was that it should work equally well when the owners of the property - a retired couple – were on their own, as when they were hosting up to eighteen of their children and grandchildren for extended family gatherings.

The concrete slab, structural framework and parts of the roof of an existing homestead were retained and added to, creating a sprawling seven bedroom residence. A monumental main room incorporates an open gable roof form, providing an oversized kitchen, dining, and living space fitting for large gatherings. Adjacent, two more moderately scaled rooms provide additional space for guests to spill into, or a more intimate living zone for the couple to enjoy when staying at the property alone.

Located on the foreshore of Jervis Bay, Q house was designed as a coastal retreat for a young Sydney based family to immerse themselves away from city life: A space to connect with the ocean and each other. The building form was conceived to provide space that facilitates a connection with the surrounding landscape while offering shelter from harsh coastal conditions and weather fronts.

The solidity of the form provides a sense of respite during heavy storms, while substantial glazing allows the spaces to be completely opened to the landscape when weather permits. The building is split over three floor plates that subtly step up from the street level entry, through the private spaces into an open entertaining realm that faces the ocean.

Designed for a Sydney based couple the renovated rural cottage is situated within a private and quiet property, home to a series of surrounding out buildings.
The new works aim to perpetuate the character of the original Redbarn cottage as an already unique and eclectic space.

Currently in development application process with the local council, Tee house has been designed as a private sanctuary for a young professional couple to retreat away from their busy lives and provide space and flexibility for them to grow into over time.

Clad in locally sourced hardwoods with matte black aluminium cladding to the upper floor, the structure appears modest and private from the street.

Clad in local hardwood timber that was felled, sawn and dried on a nearby family farm, The Sawn Box was a labour of love for the architect in designing his own home to accommodate both his growing family, and his growing architectural studio.

Two separate boxes sit on the steep block overlooking the south Ocean, one housing a compact three bedroom family home, the other accommodating the garage and dedicated studio space. A central deck links the two and provides an entrance and entertaining area that is sheltered from the harsh coastal winds by the timber structures flanked on either side.