The Art of Retreat

Envisioned as a contemporary family home, the project begins with an appreciation for the character of the existing house. Rather than stripping it back entirely, the design preserves the architectural elements that give the home its identity. Original timber windows and shutters, the floating staircase and generous garden-facing glazing are carefully retained and integrated into the renewed interior.

The interior adopts a restrained material language, allowing artwork, furniture and the changing landscape beyond to become the stronger visual presence. Spaces transition naturally towards the garden, where a renewed landscape and 22-metre swimming pool extend the experience of the house outdoors.

Throughout the approximately 5,880-square-foot residence, the design balances openness with quieter moments of retreat: spaces for gathering sit alongside more intimate rooms for rest and reflection.

Rather than pursuing newness for its own sake, the project finds value in continuity—preserving what gives the house character while carefully reshaping it for the way its owners live today.