The Boulevarde began with an artwork commissioned by the clients from eminent Aboriginal artist BiBi Barba. This artwork influenced the creative process throughout and is etched across its many elements to create a harmony of light and shade when combined with sustainable features such as the Green roof and long cantilevered sections. Working within the confines of a narrow block, the desire was to diverge from the typical and create a home at once distinct and blended with its surrounds. The Boulevarde embodies sustainability in every aspect of its construction. Fully automated yet designed for living. The five-bedroom home is a distinctly modern design letting in light and energy from the outside world to create a seamless sanctuary. From the global first Hydronic heating for the swimming pool to the plant rich Green roof, the house harmonises with its environment collecting rainwater for irrigation, using solar technology to heat the water and also provide free power to the occupants, while using external automatic window shades to moderate interior temperature. The Boulevarde has set new benchmarks for sustainable building in the wider industry. Bespoke, in every element The Boulevarde is an active space designed to enhance daily life. The brilliant result is to the designers and builders testaments.

This lush inner-city renovation in New South Whales highlights just what can be done in a small space and the luxury feel that can be achieved on a low budget. This pristine, modern unit design offers clean lines, easy flow and plenty of natural light! The client requested an ultra-luxe design and construction that catered to their functional needs with their own style and personal taste incorporated. Soft timbers enhance this space with a richness of colour, though the room maintains a light and airy feel and strong spacial lines with the introduction of black framed windows and stairs. Stunning soft modern stylings pieced together by Smith & Sons Dural.

Example of a mid-sized wooden straight glass railing staircase design in Cairns

This Inner Suburban Cottage is located in Tighes Hill, Newcastle, formerly an industrial area but due to it's proximity to the city is now becoming popular with young families and professionals seeking the inner city lifestyle. The client brief was to replace a rundown two bedroom miners cottage with a modern home for a family of three children and two adults on a 320sqm corner block. The design solution delivered the main house containing open living, dining, kitchen, three bedrooms, main bathroom, laundry and double garage. The large parents retreat comprising of a combined spacious bedroom, lounge and sitting area, seperate kitchen and generous ensuite is located above the double garage, connects to the house via an internal stairway and features a separate entrance to enable the space to be utilised as self-contained guest lodging. The street front facade reflects the original miners cottage with weatherboards, front porch and skillion roof while beyond the street frontage, a stylish transition to finishes such as Colorbond Nail Strip cladding and timber paneling relfect the contemporary style of the young family. Passive solar design was incorporated with north-oriented living, dining, kitchen areas featuring polished concrete slab for thermal mass. Cross-ventilation has been incorporated into the design with strategic window placement throughout. The seamless transition from indoor living areas to covered outdoor entertaining area is achieved through the polished concrete slab continuing from indoors to outdoors, at one level and large sliding stacker doors with screens.

This is an example of a modern landscaping in Other.

The Magpies are delighted! This stunning project is nestled in the South Australian country township of Willunga, whose name is derived from the Aboriginal word meaning “The locality of green trees”. During the course of the renovations a family of 11 magpies swooped in and now call this abundantly treed property ‘Home’. The clever design frames the natural views to the north, uninhibited by the alfresco structure. Passive solar design methodology is employed by utilising optimal eaves overhang allowing warming winter sun to penetrate into the interior of the building, whilst excluding the harsh rays during summer. A blending of the old and new help to keep a sense of history whilst combining a modern, natural feel with a semi industrial working space. Bringing the outdoors in by maximising the views of the abundant vegetation and birdlife is a feature of this addition. Well known local identities, and the owners of this spectacular building, are now enjoying their lifestyle passion for preparing food and entertaining in this enlarged, purpose built space…. As are their fine feathered friends.

The Boulevarde began with an artwork commissioned by the clients from eminent Aboriginal artist BiBi Barba. This artwork influenced the creative process throughout and is etched across its many elements to create a harmony of light and shade when combined with sustainable features such as the Green roof and long cantilevered sections. Working within the confines of a narrow block, the desire was to diverge from the typical and create a home at once distinct and blended with its surrounds. The Boulevarde embodies sustainability in every aspect of its construction. Fully automated yet designed for living. The five-bedroom home is a distinctly modern design letting in light and energy from the outside world to create a seamless sanctuary. From the global first Hydronic heating for the swimming pool to the plant rich Green roof, the house harmonises with its environment collecting rainwater for irrigation, using solar technology to heat the water and also provide free power to the occupants, while using external automatic window shades to moderate interior temperature. The Boulevarde has set new benchmarks for sustainable building in the wider industry. Bespoke, in every element The Boulevarde is an active space designed to enhance daily life. The brilliant result is to the designers and builders testaments.

Example of a large minimalist two-story brick house exterior design

A humble yet stunning small home extension and renovation by Smith & Sons Illawarra North. Painted in a gorgeous tone of grey this quaint family home has all the cosy charm of a well kept farm cottage, with all the modern amenities of a contemporary home. Beautifully executed finishes, this home boast rich wood flooring and open plan living with seamless access to the outdoors and alfresco dining area. This classic old home has certainly benefited from a little TLC by Smith & Sons; breathing new life into the walls and creating the perfect spaces for entertaining and family activities. With a feel of 'simple country' this home really lends itself to a charming young family lifestyle offering plenty of space in the backyard and a homey feel all round.

The clients were inspired to renovate following exposure to Zen architecture while honeymooning in Japan. The architectural brief was to deliver a modern Australian home that serves as a private, meditative retreat that would also cater to a buzzing family as their relationship evolves; and transform into a welcoming and generous entertaining space. The home would need to maximise the potential of the sites orientation and create a strong connection to generous and versatile outdoor spaces including sheltered entertaining areas and spacious areas for planting and lawn. It was essential that elements of the existing residence be retained where possible to reduce waste, however disguised so that the final product was effectively a new home.

Due heritage considerations, restoration was complex and costly. Due poor site drainage and old construction technique, wall damage due salt damp was prevalent. Existing levels needed regrade with landscaping provided by Lesli Hewett, a relative of the early settlers who resided in the cottage. While the roof structure was intact, it required new galvanised sheeting and the eastern wall needed rebuilding as your finger would go through the wall! Original limestone blocks were rotated to hide age. Stone footings replacement with concete. New work maintained the curvature and ground movement of 180 years of movement. Rotted original floors were replaced by century-old jarrah repurposed from Adelaide's old Clark Shoes factory. The Daringa House offers a farm house feel comprising two bedrooms both with separate ensuites, living, dining and a kitchen area overlooking gardens. The Colton Cottage, with original slate floors, is entirely separate, offering a studio and full size bathroom.

HAWTHORNE HAMPTONS The Hawthorne House is a fusion between the Classic Queenslander and Hampton style home. The Harmony between the 2-style work well together and we had to be sympathetic to the existing pre-1946 character home. The street scape had to be fused together between old and new so the house read as one and would stand the test of time. The clients brief was to make the house more functional for the family with more space and usable areas that connected all spaces to the outdoors. The lower rooms still had to capture natural light and breeze but have a connection to the outdoor courtyard area. The current house lacked views of the Brisbane city so the key for the design was to enhance the city views from the upstairs living areas with large doors and windows that framed the city. The client particular wanted WOW features in the house. Upon arriving at the entrance, a large void/Entrance carries your attention up through the house with the stunning coffered ceilings and wainscoting drawings your eyes to the upper floors. The 1st floor was all about connecting the living areas together while enjoying the amazing Brisbane city views. The heart of the house is the Kitchen that connects the indoors and outdoors together. Outdoors is where the family can enjoy their summer days around the pool area.Hawthorne House is a truly stunning house with Hampton details that make this house a truly enjoyable house to live in.

Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements.

Photo of a tropical landscaping in Cairns.

The new display apartment for the luxurious apartment development SOKO, represents to future residents, the sophisticated and new-age expertise that developers Spyre Group are renowned for. The premises also contains the new office space for Spyre Group, designed to inspire their developers with their cutting edge approach to project design, through past and futuristic interior fitout elements. To keep prospective residence and developers happy, the fully furbished Cultura Espresso Bar, was contrived, in order to inspire everyone around the premise with their pursuit of future goals.

The warm texture of a rammed earth anchors this light-filled home. Cocooning living areas and lining the entry, providing thermal mass, aesthetics and regulating humidity. The rammed earth is a spine, leading visitors from the double-height entry to a warm, bright living area. Living areas and kids' bedrooms are warmed by winter sun, looking north. Recycled timber pergola and portico continue the theme externally. A careful plan and high-performance thermal envelope create an energy efficient home with 8.3 EER. Solar-powered hydronic slab heating and winter sunshine keep the house warm in winter. Thermally massive concrete floors + rammed earth walls keep cool in summer, protected by highly-insulated external walls. The double-height entry acts as thermal chimney, venting warm air as it rises from living areas. Triple-glazed composite windows complete the energy efficient design. Modern materials + colours plus recycled red brick combine contemporary Canberran architecture and style.

Major alterations to the structure completely changed the way the existing spaces felt and functioned. A pitched ceiling replaced the flat livingroom ceiling. Large sliding doors opened the living room directly onto the deck. This functionally doubled the size of the living areas, despite not increasing the footprint. The master bedroom received large stacking slider opening onto the deck, designed for privacy from the living area. Laundry and kitchen are combined with ample storage behind minimalist cabinetry. Storage and bench space are maximised while keeping everything open and airy. The white cabinetry reduces the bulk of so much storage in a smaller space. New insulation, uPVC windows and energy efficient blinds improved thermal performance. A cold house became warm, inviting,cheaper to heat and cool. The outside of the building received new window frames, colour palette, deck, facade lightling, downpipes and gutters. Retaining cladding + floors made this a cost-effective, + radical transformation.

Due heritage considerations, restoration was complex and costly. Due poor site drainage and old construction technique, wall damage due salt damp was prevalent. Existing levels needed regrade with landscaping provided by Lesli Hewett, a relative of the early settlers who resided in the cottage. While the roof structure was intact, it required new galvanised sheeting and the eastern wall needed rebuilding as your finger would go through the wall! Original limestone blocks were rotated to hide age. Stone footings replacement with concete. New work maintained the curvature and ground movement of 180 years of movement. Rotted original floors were replaced by century-old jarrah repurposed from Adelaide's old Clark Shoes factory. The Daringa House offers a farm house feel comprising two bedrooms both with separate ensuites, living, dining and a kitchen area overlooking gardens. The Colton Cottage, with original slate floors, is entirely separate, offering a studio and full size bathroom.

Example of a bathroom design in Melbourne