Karnten

This project celebrates the sensitive enhancement of a mid-century property through a collaborative and transparent process. Originally built in the mid-20th century and later altered internally during the late 20th century, the house presented a strong architectural character. Our role was to retain and amplify this identity while making thoughtful updates that support contemporary family living.

A Shared Vision, Rooted in Respect for Heritage

The client acquired the property as an empty dwelling and commissioned the design and construction work before moving in. With a clear goal to preserve the mid-century character externally and enhance the experience of the site from within, we focused our design efforts on subtle, sympathetic improvements and maximising internal views.

Design Approach: Enhancing Through Subtlety

The temptation with a mid-century home is often to modernise heavily. Here, restraint guided every decision. The existing architecture provided a strong foundation—our task was to work within those lines, not redraw them.

Internally, the most significant intervention was strategic reconfiguration to reveal and celebrate surrounding views. Rather than making expansive additions, we worked within the existing footprint, choosing precision over scale. This approach not only maintained the home’s architectural integrity but also allowed the site’s natural beauty to play a more prominent role in daily life.

Material Strategy: Respectful and Authentic

Externally, improvements were carefully considered to align with the home’s original character. Materials were selected to complement the mid-century aesthetic while ensuring long-term durability and performance.

Internally, existing elements were retained where possible, and new insertions were handled with a light touch. The resulting material palette is honest and unfussy, allowing the spatial qualities of the home and its framed views to take precedence.

Process: Fast, Transparent, Collaborative

With a tight timeline and a clear brief, the project required a responsive and agile process. The design phase was kept concise, and contractors were engaged early to ensure a fast and fluid progression from concept to completion.

The project was delivered under a traditional JCT building contract. Owing to the evolving nature of the brief and a spirit of partnership, the works were carried out under an 'open book' arrangement, with full cost transparency between client and contractor. This open communication allowed the design to evolve organically through construction, without compromising on quality or control.

Outcome

The result is a home that remains true to its mid-century origins yet feels completely suited to modern family life. With minimal extensions and maximum efficiency, the project achieved significant gains in both liveability and long-term value. In fact, the uplift in property value exceeded the total cost of the works immediately on completion—proof that sensitive design and collaborative delivery can achieve both architectural and financial success.

This is a home shaped not only by the quality of its design and construction, but by the trust and teamwork that defined every stage of its making.