Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary two-storey black house exterior in Geelong with a flat roof.

This is an example of a transitional exterior in Other.

Design ideas for a large country two-storey exterior in Sussex with wood siding, a gable roof, a tile roof, a red roof and board and batten siding.

Seahorses is a stunning new home near Falmouth enjoying magnificent panoramic views of the south coast seascape. Sitting on the clifftops within an AONB, the house and gardens occupy a gently sloping site that connects with the adjacent South West Coastal Path. The context and terrain of the surrounding landscape informed the design and an imaginative and ambitious solution to site levels was crucial to the success of the scheme. As a result, the completed house is lower than the original, thus creating privacy for the occupants whilst still respecting neighbouring homes. The split-level, linear design is carefully organised around a spine wall of local granite that runs from the exterior of the building through the interior. This arrangement allows the living areas and bedrooms to connect with the landscape and integrate seamlessly with outdoor spaces. A mix of grasses, sedum and indigenous coastal plants on the green roof help to embed the building into its surroundings. The palette of natural materials creates a layered, permeable effect on the exterior, which will season with time and weather, thereby allowing it to assimilate into its coastal setting. Of equal importance was landscaping, which was integral to the design intent. With thoughtful positioning of the new dwelling, significant areas of mature and established planting were protected and retained. Photograph: Elliott White Photography

Introducing Our Latest Masterpiece – The Hideaway Retreat - 7 Locke Crescent East Fremantle Open Times- see our website When it comes to seeing potential in a building project there are few specialists more adept at putting it all together than Andre and the team at Empire Building Company. We invite you to come on in and view just what attention to detail looks like. During a visit we can outline for you why we selected this block of land, our response to it from a design perspective and the completed outcome a double storey elegantly crafted residence focussing on the likely occupiers needs and lifestyle. In today’s market place the more flexible a home is in form and function the more desirable it will be to live in. This has the dual effect of enhancing lifestyle for its occupants and making the home desirable to a broad market at time of sale and in so doing preserving value. “From the street the home has a bold presence. Once you step inside, the interior has been designed to have a calming retreat feel to accommodate a modern family, executive or retiring couple or even a family considering having their ageing parents move in.” Andre Malecky A hallmark of this home, not uncommon when developing in a residential infill location is the clever integration of engineering solutions to the home’s construction. At Empire we revel in this type of construction and design challenged situations and we go to extraordinary lengths to get the solution that best fits budget, timeliness and living amenity. In this home our solution was to employ a two-level strategic geometric design with a specifically engineered cantilevered roof that provides essential amenity but serves to accentuate the façade. Whilst the best solution for this home was to demolish and build brand new, this is not always the case. At Empire we have extensive experience is working with clients in renovating their existing home and transforming it into their dream home. This home was strategically positioned to maximise available views, northern exposure and natural light into the residence. Energy Efficiency has been considered for the end user by introduction of double-glazed windows, Velux roof window, insulated roof panels, ceiling and wall insulation, solar panels and even comes with a 3Ph electric car charge point in the opulently tiled garage. Some of the latest user-friendly automation, electronics and appliances will also make the living experience very satisfying. We invite you to view our latest show home and to discuss with us your current living challenges and aspirations. Being a custom boutique builder, we assess your situation, the block, the current structure and look for ways to maximise the full potential of the location, topography and design brief.

Teresa Cos
Inspiration for a mid-sized country exterior in Venice with wood siding and a gable roof.

Darren Kerr photography
Small contemporary exterior in Brisbane with a shed roof.

This Californian Bungalow in Melbourne's inner west underwent a serious makeover inside and out. Uninhabitable when purchased, the new owners spent two years transforming this house with a stunning final result. Hello Colour developed an exterior colour scheme for this home. The scheme, designed to show off the beautiful period details, included a contemporary green grey facade with crisp black and white detailing. J'adore!

This is an example of a large country three-storey exterior in Other with mixed siding and a clipped gable roof.

This is an example of a contemporary two-storey house exterior in Sunshine Coast with a flat roof.

Craftsman renovation and extension
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey blue exterior in Los Angeles with wood siding, a clipped gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

This is an example of a large contemporary three-storey beige house exterior in Turin with metal siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Façade intérieure sur cour avant travaux
Photo of a traditional exterior in Paris.

Photo of a traditional two-storey white house exterior in Surrey with a gable roof, a shingle roof and a red roof.

Photo of a contemporary two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Perth with a flat roof.

The brief for this project was for the house to be at one with its surroundings. Integrating harmoniously into its coastal setting a focus for the house was to open it up to allow the light and sea breeze to breathe through the building. The first floor seems almost to levitate above the landscape by minimising the visual bulk of the ground floor through the use of cantilevers and extensive glazing. The contemporary lines and low lying form echo the rolling country in which it resides.

Shantanu Starick
Inspiration for a small contemporary one-storey exterior in Sydney.

Country exterior in West Midlands.