Hardwick Family House 2025

Hardwick Family House

Jess and her husband had long dreamed of a parkside home, and when this 1959-built home became available, it was the perfect opportunity. Rather than expanding, they focused on thoughtful, high-impact changes to enhance functionality while celebrating the home’s original character.

Sustainability was at the heart of the renovation. The internal footprint remained unchanged, reducing material use and embodied carbon. Removing carpets revealed pristine brushbox timber floors, and the original pink steel bathtub was retained. With the help of Five Mile Radius, the home’s terrazzo was repurposed into a stunning concrete benchtop. Locally sourced materials, including handmade tiles, brass, and timber, create a warm and timeless interior.

One of the biggest transformations was opening up the kitchen, dining, and living areas, removing a rear sunroom to create a generous outdoor room and abundant breezes through the home. This new space blurs the boundary between indoors and out, optimizing cross-ventilation and natural light. A green-hued timber batten balustrade allows the deck to recede into the surrounding parkland, preserving privacy and enhancing the home’s connection to nature.

Underneath, excess concrete and retaining walls were removed to restore the landscape, making way for the JHA studio. A sweeping concrete bench mediates the transition between built and natural spaces, fostering a seamless connection between work and home.

By prioritising reuse, thoughtful design, and passive cooling strategies, the home is more energy-efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective to run—proof that sustainability doesn’t require excess, but rather a deep respect for what already exists.