Nearing Completion: Strengthening connection to place

Project at a Glance
Builder: Carl Burt of Discerning Build & Design
Stone Mason: Harford Masonry Construction
Civil/Structural Engineer: Xeros Piccolo Consulting Engineers
Towner Planner: Twenty/20 Town Planning and Development Services

We’re nearing completion of our country homestead project on the outskirts of town, a thoughtful transformation designed to support a growing young family while strengthening the home’s connection to its rural surrounds.

From the outset, the brief centred on creating a stronger sense of arrival, improving day-to-day functionality, and reimagining the home to better suit modern family life. The result is a beautifully resolved balance of practicality and warmth.

A striking new entry now defines the home’s frontage. Its sharp, angular form and large black-framed glazed door welcome visitors with light and presence, creating a confident arrival moment.

Internally, spaces have been carefully reconfigured to maximise efficiency and comfort. A new laundry and mudroom provide a highly functional, hardworking zone tailored to busy family living, while a flexible guest suite with private ensuite offers adaptability for visiting family and friends.

Outdoors, the completed pool pavilion extends the home’s living spaces into the landscape. Featuring a covered barbecue and dining area, along with an enclosed bathroom and change room, the pavilion provides a relaxed setting for both entertaining and everyday use. Natural stone and timber cladding tie the new additions seamlessly back to the original home, grounding the design within the surrounding native landscape.

A special mention goes to Mick Harford, whose exceptional craftsmanship as the project’s stonemason has brought a richness and texture that elevates the entire design.

This project is a wonderful example of how considered design can breathe new life into an existing home, creating a space that is practical, adaptable, and welcoming for many years to come.

Projects such as this reinforce the value of working with the existing—where careful intervention can deliver outcomes that feel both new and deeply familiar.

Construction by Carl Burt of Discerning Build & Design.