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 modern two-storey white house exterior in Wollongong with a flat roof.

Transitional one-storey white house exterior in Melbourne with a hip roof, a tile roof and a red roof.

Design ideas for a modern two-storey white house exterior in Brisbane with a flat roof.

This two-storey new home in Beaumaris balances contemporary form with practical family living. Designed to respond to site orientation and coastal context, the layout maximises natural light, privacy, and connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Material selection and detailing were carefully considered to achieve a refined, durable home suited to its location.

featuring James Hardie linea boards and circular windows
This is an example of a large beach style two-storey white house exterior in Geelong with mixed siding and a metal roof.

QMBA and HIA Award Winning Home
Contemporary three-storey white house exterior in Sunshine Coast with a flat roof.

Photo of a contemporary white house exterior in Perth with a gable roof.

Awarded Australia’s Best Display Home 2022 by MBA, Sanctuary has been crafted to be a modern luxurious haven. Latitude 37’s custom design and construction capability is showcased on a grand scale.

Design ideas for a contemporary two-storey white duplex exterior in Gold Coast - Tweed with a flat roof.

Nestled in the vibrant fishing community of Fingal, this modest beach house has been reimagined to address modern climate challenges while creating a spacious and functional home for a growing family. The original house has been raised to avoid flood waters, and repositioned over a warm brick screen wall that neatly contains the brick and landscape entry sequence. These entry stairs provide a natural perch to watch kids on the lawn, a place to engage with neighbours or take in the breezes and views to the local waterhole across the road. This is a modest gesture that strongly sets an agenda of neighbourhood engagement. A new addition has been added to the west including a garage, home office and living spaces. These areas sensitively relate to the original house through scale, materials and form. They don’t pretend to be original but sit in a complementary way, with a glazed link playfully connecting the new elements to the original structure. The design represents a considered and sustainable way to repurpose an existing house, while allowing it to better respond to both the changing needs of its owners and the dynamic coastal environment upon which it is built.

Inspiration for a contemporary three-storey white house exterior in Strasbourg with mixed siding.

Design ideas for a large tropical one-storey white house exterior in Geelong with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Front elevation street view. Ornate wrought-iron latticework to the balcony, verandah and fence are hallmarks of Victorian terrace houses of this era. Photo by Derek Swalwell.

Inspiration for a contemporary two-storey white house exterior with mixed siding, a hip roof and a tile roof.

Inspiration for a contemporary two-storey white exterior in Sydney with a shed roof.

Crédits photographie : Arnaud Saint Germès
Mid-sized contemporary one-storey white exterior in Toulouse with a flat roof.

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.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern two-storey stucco white exterior in Other with a flat roof and a green roof.