Palm Beach House
Alterations & additions to an existing residence
This project involved the careful transformation of a modest 1954 brick bungalow located in Palm Beach, on the Gold Coast. The decision to retain the original home was both practical and principled, a way to reduce waste and preserve a fragment of the Gold Coast’s fast-disappearing residential character. In a region with few heritage protections and a culture of demolition, the project aimed to demonstrate how existing buildings can be adapted with care and relevance.
The original house now accommodates the private areas - bedrooms, bathrooms and study - elevated above the site and offering a sense of retreat. A new extension at the rear houses the living spaces and master suite, with planning arranged to take advantage of the northern aspect and establish a strong connection to the garden. The addition is pushed to the south-western boundary, allowing the living areas to open fully to the outdoors and maximising usable green space.
Internally, changes in floor and ceiling levels define spaces within an open plan. The kitchen, dining, living, pool and garden are interconnected, creating a home suited to relaxed coastal living and family life. Robust, tactile materials were chosen for durability and warmth; including spotted gum linings to withstand the demands of young children, and a palette of bricks and fibre cement that references the original house.
Landscape was integral to the design. Dense, predominantly native planting offers privacy, while edible species - fruit trees, vegetables and herbs - are scattered throughout. Entry is via the garden, where fragrant greenery softens the arrival sequence and connects daily life with the outdoors. A courtyard at the street front provides a space for casual neighbourly interaction, reinforcing the idea of the house as a social, open, and responsive part of its environment.
The new roof slopes away from the street, referencing the original gable form while reducing bulk for neighbouring properties and protecting their northern light.
A simple carport shelters vehicles without obscuring the existing façade, preserving the bungalow’s character and its contribution to the streetscape.
This project was conducted in collaboration with Dan Wilson.
Landscape Design: TOCO
Photography: David Chatfield
