Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Indoor-Outdoor Connections in a Renovated Noosa Duplex
Architect Paul Hindes quite literally turned an '80s duplex upside down to create a seamless flow between indoors and out
When building designer, and small-space-specialist Paul Hindes from Soul Space was approached by Lawrie and Natalie Cranley to open up their compact beachside home in Sunshine Beach, Noosa, he knew it was going to be a challenge. What he didn’t expect was that he would end up redesigning two very different homes within an ‘80s duplex, with two very different briefs at the same time. What followed was a complete overhaul of the space, quite literally turning the original design on its head.
“The design was challenging – the nature of the duplex meant that there were two clients with two different budgets,"Hindes says. “Unit one allowed for a complete redesign, putting the living spaces on the lower floor, and two bedrooms and a study space on the top floor, with a garage at the front. They wanted to have their living space open to a rear garden with a new plunge pool, seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces. The Unit two clients only wanted to renovate the existing spaces and put a new roof over the front balcony.”
Here, we focus on the redesign of Unit one, owned by the Cranleys.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Lawrie Cranley and wife Natalie
Location: Noosa, Queensland
Size: 180 square metres
Cost: $500,000
“The design was challenging – the nature of the duplex meant that there were two clients with two different budgets,"Hindes says. “Unit one allowed for a complete redesign, putting the living spaces on the lower floor, and two bedrooms and a study space on the top floor, with a garage at the front. They wanted to have their living space open to a rear garden with a new plunge pool, seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces. The Unit two clients only wanted to renovate the existing spaces and put a new roof over the front balcony.”
Here, we focus on the redesign of Unit one, owned by the Cranleys.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Lawrie Cranley and wife Natalie
Location: Noosa, Queensland
Size: 180 square metres
Cost: $500,000
BEFORE: The problem was that the duplex was by the beach but didn’t reflect the beachside lifestyle. It was tired and shaded from the Queensland sunshine. Inside was also segmented by exposed brick – when it was exposure to sunlight the owners were wanting.
AFTER: By adding matching design accents, such as the slant roof, the two homes very much interact and integrate, while remaining very distinct and with their own sense of privacy.
“Privacy from neighbours on either side and the other residents of the duplex was a consideration, and this is afforded by the reversed living spaces,” explains Hindes. “This was further enhanced by a redevelopment of the internal driveways to allow for visitor parking and landscaped privacy between the apartments.”
“Privacy from neighbours on either side and the other residents of the duplex was a consideration, and this is afforded by the reversed living spaces,” explains Hindes. “This was further enhanced by a redevelopment of the internal driveways to allow for visitor parking and landscaped privacy between the apartments.”
In the Cranley home, Hindes set to work increasing the connection between indoors and out, allowing for design and air to flow through this classy and sophisticated home.
There was a disconnect between the inside space and the garden which Hindes fixed by placing sliding walls along the full length of the room that stack on top of each other making the entire wall seem to disappear.
There was a disconnect between the inside space and the garden which Hindes fixed by placing sliding walls along the full length of the room that stack on top of each other making the entire wall seem to disappear.
The idea was to make the home appear much bigger than it was and to ‘do as much as possible’.
A void was incorporated in the design in order to open up the connection between both floors and create the appearance of space with height. The room feels larger as light pours in.
A void was incorporated in the design in order to open up the connection between both floors and create the appearance of space with height. The room feels larger as light pours in.
An alfresco dining area leads on from the living room. It features an extendable awning that blocks out the afternoon sunshine and provides handy rain cover.
This is another example of the sense of the transparency between inside and out created here, and the fact that it can work to bring the outside in or take the inside outdoors.
This is another example of the sense of the transparency between inside and out created here, and the fact that it can work to bring the outside in or take the inside outdoors.
The Cranleys wanted a swimming pool to reflect their beach lifestyle, but were limited by tight council constraints on space and footprint. The perfect solution was a plunge pool they could use to keep cool in during the hot Queensland summers and relax in on balmy evenings.
Discover 10 breathtaking Australian pool designs
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Beautifully landscaped courtyards accentuate the open, flowing feel of a beach house that effortlessly integrates outdoor and indoor living.
A glass pool fence separates a covered, casual seating area from the pool terrace and inviting water. Glass was used as much as possible to create that seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Check out this convertible courtyard in Melbourne
A glass pool fence separates a covered, casual seating area from the pool terrace and inviting water. Glass was used as much as possible to create that seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Check out this convertible courtyard in Melbourne
The connection between the house and the pool was important to the owners. The deck spills out to the water’s edge increasing the visual connection between the two spaces.
Next to the pool, an outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue, is lapped up by the house.
Next to the pool, an outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue, is lapped up by the house.
The couple opted for glass balustrades on the staircase and first floor for more transparency and to accentuate the wooden fixtures.
Internal windows were added to further promote the connection of spaces within the home and make the home appear larger. The window above is attached to the master ensuite.
Internal windows were added to further promote the connection of spaces within the home and make the home appear larger. The window above is attached to the master ensuite.
The owners decided on an open-plan living area so as not to segment or box in the space.
Interior Designer Carole Tretheway added subtle splashes of vibrant colour including the green glass splashback. “The use of natural organic colours and textures in the interior provided an opportunity to introduce beautiful timber furniture and colourful textured fabrics and fittings to the furnishings,” she says.
Interior Designer Carole Tretheway added subtle splashes of vibrant colour including the green glass splashback. “The use of natural organic colours and textures in the interior provided an opportunity to introduce beautiful timber furniture and colourful textured fabrics and fittings to the furnishings,” she says.
The vacant space that linked the master and guest bedrooms has become a practical home office. Light floods into this relaxed working environment.
The couple built cabinetry to house all electrical equipment in the home giving it a very clean, minimalist feel.
The couple built cabinetry to house all electrical equipment in the home giving it a very clean, minimalist feel.
At first Hindes had opted for a frosted glass door between the master bedroom and ensuite, but the owners preferred transparent glass to let through as much light as possible.
“The clear glass on the shower door and ensuite wall might not be for everyone, but we always loved the idea of outdoor showers and tried to give this a similar feel,” Lawrie says.
“The clear glass on the shower door and ensuite wall might not be for everyone, but we always loved the idea of outdoor showers and tried to give this a similar feel,” Lawrie says.
A neutral colour palette runs through the house adding a relaxed, minimalist backdrop to the home.
Aside from large glass sliding doors throughout the home, glass louvres are a fixture on the majority of windows, increasing ventilation and airflow, allowing the home to breathe on its own.
The house is buffered by trees on either side, ensuring privacy from other neighbours.
Lawrie and Natalie’s private deck lies above the garage, while Unit two’s outdoor space opens up on the other side of the building.
Lawrie and Natalie’s private deck lies above the garage, while Unit two’s outdoor space opens up on the other side of the building.
Beautiful tropical landscaping and flowing courtyards surround the homes. Buddhist statues feature throughout enhancing the calming environment.
Naturally, the redesign had a huge affect on the couple’s lifestyle. “It helped us reconnect with the surroundings and take time for ourselves,” says Lawrie. “It’s such a relaxing, low-maintenance home that we feel like we are permanently on holidays.
Naturally, the redesign had a huge affect on the couple’s lifestyle. “It helped us reconnect with the surroundings and take time for ourselves,” says Lawrie. “It’s such a relaxing, low-maintenance home that we feel like we are permanently on holidays.
Apart from the matching slant roof to add consistency to the duplex as a whole, Hindes also added a window box planter to next door’s terrace to add privacy.
This home shows how much you can do with a small amount of room. Hindes loves the flow of the design the most. “Each space opens up onto another and the light it lets in is magical,” he says.
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This home shows how much you can do with a small amount of room. Hindes loves the flow of the design the most. “Each space opens up onto another and the light it lets in is magical,” he says.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Historical high rise goes glam in Sydney
Melbourne gem harnesses feng shui
Open-air living in the mountains of Bali
Caribbean beachside style in Noosa Heads