A Postwar Cottage in Melbourne Gets a Light-Filled Extension With a Central Courtyard

Undertaking a complete renovation and addition project is no small task—and it’s even more challenging if the clients live on the property throughout the build, or oversee the construction process. But that’s exactly what a young couple with a baby on the way did in the Brunswick West suburb of Melbourne, Australia, to bring their ideal family home to life. The clients, one of whom runs a local construction company called Character Built, collaborated with DOOD Studio to transform their dark, postwar brick dwelling into a light-filled home wrapped around a courtyard.

"I recall site meetings where the clients were living out of a small room while the rest of the house was completely removed, roof and all," says Andrew Stapleton, director at DOOD Studio. "It was a passion-filled project, and the end result is much sweeter because of the clients’ dedication."

The owners bought the home in 2017, and had always planned to live on the property while they carried out the renovation and extension. The structure had been remodeled many times over the decades and was what Stapleton describes as "a mishmash of classic Melbourne suburbia" with Mediterranean-style details. "It was a dark rabbit warren with no connection to the living spaces from the yard," Stapleton says. "The brief was to create a light, interconnected dwelling with a guest wing for visiting parents."