Solstice House alterations + addtions

A heritage renovation and custom build shaped by garden, light and family life

Solstice House is a carefully considered renovation and extension for a growing family in Perth, designed to support both immediate daily life and the way the household may change over time. With children ranging from younger ages through to adulthood, the brief called for a home design that could comfortably accommodate family gatherings now while remaining adaptable as older children move on and family rhythms evolve. Outdoor living was equally important, with the clients seeking a strong connection to landscape, garden, and pool.

Set behind a heritage listed dwelling, the project was shaped by a series of planning and site constraints. The original front house was retained almost in full, preserving its streetscape presence and heritage value, while the rear additions and previous alterations were removed. Working within the established footprint of the existing house also became a key driver of the design, allowing the project to maintain tighter budget control while reducing unnecessary demolition and rebuild. This approach formed the basis of a more sustainable custom build, with the retained structure providing both environmental and architectural value.

The architectural response draws on the character of the original home without imitating it. Pitched forms, painted brick, simplified archways, and a restrained material palette reference the heritage fabric in a more contemporary language. The contrast between old and new became central to the project, with the darker, more enclosed quality of the original house giving way to brighter, more open living spaces at the rear. This transition informed the name Solstice House, reflecting a movement from darker interior rooms to a lighter and more garden focused extension.

Internally, the new layout reorganises the house around contemporary family living. The retained front rooms now accommodate more private and flexible uses, including a guest bedroom, library, secondary living area, and children’s play space. Beyond this, the rear extension opens into a generous living domain designed to feel spacious without becoming cavernous. A central stair helps define zones within the open plan arrangement, breaking down kitchen, dining, and living areas into more intimate and usable spaces. The kitchen now sits at the centre of the home, anchored by a large island that functions as both a practical workspace and an informal place for entertaining.

A strong connection to landscape guided the entire project. With landscape design concept by De Vries Designs, existing mature trees were retained wherever possible, including a significant jacaranda that now plays a major role in the experience of the home. Large openings frame the garden from every part of the extension, turning the landscape into a constant visual focus. In the upper level ensuite and a small reading nook, openings are positioned to create the sensation of inhabiting the tree canopy itself. The result is a Perth home design that feels immersed in garden, with each room carefully oriented toward views, light, and outdoor life.

Sustainability was approached through retention, performance, and measured long term planning. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the design retains the original heritage house and works within much of the existing footprint, reducing material waste and preserving embodied value. Solar infrastructure has been incorporated into the project, with provision made for the future integration of battery storage once the family has settled into the home and actual energy use can be properly assessed. This allows the services strategy to be tailored to the way the house is truly lived in, rather than over specifying systems from the outset.

Architectural visualisation and video flythrough courtesy of De Vries Design.