Main tea+scones

Scone Interior Hero

Merriwa Int 135

Main small bedroom

bathroom blind view

Int dining

Fairlight Rear

Griffiths St 16

Bangalay DD 40

nabathroom-59

bangalay10 @danielle cross

NAMiscHR-2

Griffiths St 15

Main kitchen white

NABathroom-105

Lands olive tree veranda

Lands cacti 2

Merriwa Int 7

Merriwa Int 139

Turramurra division shelf

Merriwa Int 55

Bilgola Hero

Turramurra fireplace

bathroom blind view2

Main cross roads angle sepia

NAMiscHR-7

Merriwa Hero

Int ceiling detail

Int fireplace

NABathroom-141

Merriwa Ext 29

Turramurra kitchen angle

window-shower-wall

Turramurra living room

Bangalay 2

Turramurra kitchen closed

Main+Lands entry+sign

NABathroom-114

NAMiscHR-12

nabathroom-57

Lands wavey path sepia

Merriwa Ext 81

Main+Lands front angle white

Griffiths St 2

front-garden-view-up-crop

NAMiscHR-8

NAMiscHR-17

bangalay2 @danielle cross

Bangalay Concept p5 Function Space

Griffiths St 17

Main through to sunroom steam

Int corner window white

Turramurra pantry door closed

Merriwa Ext 23

Lands circular planter

Int small bedroom

Main+Int bathroom

bathroom night view

Merriwa Ext 139

Turramurra reading bench

Main+Lands rear+pergola sepia

NABathroom-64

NABathroom-49

Main dining room

Merriwa Ext 57

Merriwa Int 119

NABathroom-55

merriwa main elev

Main+Int front door Harry

Main+Int living room

Gallipoli Finishes

Darling Terrace

NAMiscHR-14

Turramurra hero2

Darling Terrace Plans 1

NABathroom-47

Bangalay DD 7

Main The Devonshire sign2

Main+Lands rear window sepia

NABathroom-135

Fairlight Front

Main corner window

steel door

NAMiscHR-1

Bangalay DD 19

fireplace

NABathroom-17

NAMiscHR-10

Cammeray Rumpus Joinery

Merriwa Ext 109

Int bathroom

Turramurra pantry door open

NAMiscHR-4

merriwa pool long section

NAPortraitsHR-15

NABathroom-85

Merriwa Int 13

Griffiths St 18

Merriwa Ext 14

NABathroom-66

bathroom sill-H

Int tea+scones closeup

Lilyfield Townhouse Hero

Int bathroom door detail

Merriwa Int 45

NAMiscHR-3

NABathroom-87

Merriwa Ext 11

bangalay27 @ajenksimagery

Scone Hero

in progress

NABathroom-145

Griffiths St 6

Main+Int living room1

NABathroom-118

Bangalay DD 5

nabathroom-67

Merriwa Ext 77

bangalay5 @ashleigh sims

Int laundry sink

Int master bedroom1

aerial @Bangalay

Balmain Hero

Bangalay DD 22

Main entry door sepia

nabathroom-48

NABathroom-128

sherbrooke render

Griffiths St 9

Merriwa Int 164

NABathroom-16

Merriwa Int 108

NAMiscHR-9

NABathroom-65

Merriwa Int 43

Merriwa Int 48

Merriwa Ext VSCO

Int firebox detail

Merriwa Ext 41

Bangalay Concept p3 Spa Exterior

Bangalay DD 3 - across 3 sliding posts

Merriwa Int 131

NABathroom-92

Turramurra kitchen main

Merriwa Ext 3

NABathroom-98

Merriwa Int 9

Main+Int living room to hallway

Kelly Street Laneway

NABathroom-14

Turramurra fireplace right side

Griffiths St 7

Merriwa Int 4

NAPortraitsHR-9 crop

Merriwa Int 50

merriwa guest house elev

bangalayunderconstr @bangalay

NABathroom-111

Int master bedroom2

Griffiths St 5

Merriwa Int 28

Bangalay pool Rachael Tagg

Int blue bedroom

merriwa extension courtyard elev (1)

Int double shower

Bangalay Concept p1 Overall Concept

pedestal-basin

Griffiths St 1

A new main residence featuring four bedrooms and a study, accompanied by a two-bedroom secondary dwelling. The design responds to its prominent corner site with solid stone walls and curved facades, softened by green roofs, integrated planter boxes, and thoughtfully layered landscaping throughout. A landscaped roof over the secondary dwelling is accessed via a walkway from the first floor of the main house, extending usable outdoor space and offering a secluded setting for recreation and relaxation.

Complete - awaiting professional photography.

Collaroy Plateau House +

Merriwa Int 125

Merriwa Ext 119

Merriwa Ext 1

merriwa extension section

Merriwa Ext 9

Griffiths St 10

showers on

Griffiths St 8

Int kitchen white

NAMiscHR-5

Gallipoli Side

Merriwa Int 111

Main+Int hallway arch

Merriwa Int 117

Merriwa Int 24

An ambitious country homestead, grounded in sustainability, sculpted for life on the land.

A vibrant yet gentle new addition to a historic rural homestead, Merriwa Farmhouse is a highly considered response to place, climate, and family life.This project comprises a new building, entirely separate from the original house, accessed via a glazed bridge over a new swimming pool. This daily journey marks the transition from sleeping quarters to the living heart of the home. Designed for a farming family in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, the addition provides a robust yet refined sanctuary within a landscape defined by harsh summers, drought cycles, and sweeping rural views. Even the red dust that occasionally moves through the area was considered in the tone of the render finish, grounding the new building in its environment and reducing the visual impact of weathering over time. The significance of the drought was extremely apparent during the design phase, inspiring the integration of a large glass downpipe that lets the family see and celebrate every precious drop of rain as it’s captured and collected for their daily needs.The new addition draws on vernacular traditions from arid climates and is organised around a protected courtyard. This transitional outdoor space is naturally cooled by the pool, which becomes a central visual and spatial focus. It can be accessed from both the old and new wings of the house, and the experience of swimming beneath the glazed bridge reinforces a playful connection between the built form, water and landscape, giving the bridge a sense of lightness and the architecture a feeling of gently hovering in place.The building is shaped by sustainability at every level for this essentially off-grid home. Passive solar principles informed the siting and orientation, with deep verandas providing shade in summer and large areas of north-facing glazing drawing in winter sunlight. A concrete slab delivers thermal mass, stabilising interior temperatures and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. Operable windows and carefully positioned openings promote cross ventilation, while a double-sided fireplace and ceiling fans provide year-round thermal comfort with minimal energy use. The home is powered by solar photovoltaic panels, collects rainwater for all daily needs and utilises on-site waste processing facilities. Natural, low-embodied-energy materials form the core of the building. Exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls and ceilings are celebrated for both their structural integrity and natural warmth. The curved Colorbond roof references nearby sheds and barns, while the internal lining of woven bamboo introduces texture and a personal memory of the client’s childhood home. Other materials include timber flooring, lime-rendered walls, glulam and rolled steel rafters, and hand-finished concrete. Each was selected for its durability, expressive quality, and connection to the surrounding landscape.Set low and linearly on the site, the building reads as an extension of the existing homestead, sitting comfortably within the landscape. The mezzanine level offers a lifted perspective across the paddocks and hills, with views of livestock and the wide, open countryside. Large picture windows and dormers frame these views and create places of rest, quiet observation, and reconnection with the land. Designed to grow and adapt with the family, Merriwa Farmhouse presents a sustainable and enduring alternative to the generic rural home.Client Testimonial, Merriwa Farmhouse:<blockquote>“We chose Katherine as she was able to envisage our bespoke project and communicate it clearly… delivered the perfect project after listening to our needs and wants… she was calm, reliable and caring. Our mezzanine encompasses a view that we didn’t realise how amazing it was until we were in the space, even after living on site for 10 years already. Katherine’s design brought our property into focus with light and space… the new space has had a massive positive impact on how our family spends time together.Materials chosen were considered carefully and reflected our location beautifully. Katherine was always available to us with enormous amounts of empathy and skill. Concerns and challenges that popped up were dealt with smoothly and with great success.Katherine is extremely professional. She asked questions clearly, which enabled us to communicate our needs in a way that reflects the beautiful space we now have.Anyone who has entered the space cannot believe how beautiful it is… A lot of people comment they have never been in a space that works so well practically and looks and feels so lovely.Visitors love the originality of the design and are constantly amazed. Katherine’s design encompassed our brief perfectly. She is a calm presence in what can be an extremely stressful pursuit. She listens at all stages and offers sage advice.Katherine understands the difficulties of building bespoke - particularly in a setting such as ours (remote NSW) - and is able to manage all issues that arise whilst producing spaces that feel inviting and modern.Our building requires no air-conditioning due to the materials and airflow. In a hot environment, this is outstanding. The kitchen has easily worked for entertaining over 100 people multiple times. The space provided flows beautifully. We have multiple spaces available that are connected seamlessly.”</blockquote>Photography by <a href="https://www.photosbyjessieann.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jessie Ann Harris</a>

Merriwa Farmhouse Exterior

Timber, texture and light in a rural retreat built for family life.

The interiors of Merriwa Farmhouse reflect the same values that shaped the architecture: sustainability, durability, material honesty and emotional resonance. Every decision inside was made with the daily rhythms of rural life in mind from early mornings and shared meals to quiet moments of retreat and long evenings watching the weather roll in.Designed for a farming family in rural NSW during the height of a drought, Merriwa Farmhouse is a robust yet refined new addition to a historic homestead. Drawing on arid-climate vernaculars such as the Mexican courtyard house, the new building centres around a protected outdoor space that encourages gathering, cooling and quiet retreat. The project celebrates an honest material palette and a spatial arrangement shaped by function, family life and climate.The existing homestead becomes the sleeping quarters—smaller, darker rooms carefully restored and detailed for rest and recovery. A glazed bridge over the pool connects to the bespoke modern addition, which houses the living, kitchen, dining and play areas. The central axis through the site defines this clear architectural transition between old and new. The curved roof form is lined internally with plywood and woven bamboo matting, integrating natural materials with a textured tactile warmth. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls and ceilings are left exposed for their warmth and structural clarity complemented by glulam and rolled steel rafters. A concrete floor provides thermal mass helping regulate temperature throughout.Strategically placed within the expansive new volume, the mezzanine captures sweeping views of the surrounding undulating landscape while creating a series of lower, more intimate spaces beneath. These include the kitchen, pantry and powder room. A sunken lounge deepens the sense of spatial layering and intimacy.Wide verandas offer shaded outdoor spaces for gathering and movement. Deep window reveals frame long views and foster a sense of intimacy embracing those standing or sitting within them and softly shaping light and shade throughout the home. Together, these elements ground the house in its setting offering a sanctuary thoughtfully shaped by climate, context and a deep commitment to considered design.Client Testimonial, Merriwa Farmhouse:<blockquote>“We chose Katherine as she was able to envisage our bespoke project and communicate it clearly… delivered the perfect project after listening to our needs and wants… she was calm, reliable and caring. Our mezzanine encompasses a view that we didn’t realise how amazing it was until we were in the space, even after living on site for 10 years already. Katherine’s design brought our property into focus with light and space… the new space has had a massive positive impact on how our family spends time together.Materials chosen were considered carefully and reflected our location beautifully. Katherine was always available to us with enormous amounts of empathy and skill. Concerns and challenges that popped up were dealt with smoothly and with great success.Katherine is extremely professional. She asked questions clearly, which enabled us to communicate our needs in a way that reflects the beautiful space we now have.Anyone who has entered the space cannot believe how beautiful it is… A lot of people comment they have never been in a space that works so well practically and looks and feels so lovely.Visitors love the originality of the design and are constantly amazed. Katherine’s design encompassed our brief perfectly. She is a calm presence in what can be an extremely stressful pursuit. She listens at all stages and offers sage advice.Katherine understands the difficulties of building bespoke - particularly in a setting such as ours (remote NSW) - and is able to manage all issues that arise whilst producing spaces that feel inviting and modern.Our building requires no air-conditioning due to the materials and airflow. In a hot environment, this is outstanding. The kitchen has easily worked for entertaining over 100 people multiple times. The space provided flows beautifully. We have multiple spaces available that are connected seamlessly.”</blockquote>Photography by <a href="https://www.photosbyjessieann.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jessie Ann Harris</a>

Merriwa Farmhouse Interior

Pittwater views are the focus for this dwelling on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

The interiors and rear façade of this dwelling are reimagined to celebrate the views across the water to the green hills of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and creates a modern living space for this young family.Extended verandas, new curves, glazing and balustrade. Celebrating the views. New internal spatial planning and interior design including a new entry, kitchen, dining area, staircase, laundry, shower room, rumpus room, study and cellar. Filtering light into the centre of the dwelling with skylights above the stairwell and lower ground bathroom. Behind the curve sits a deep custom designed spa bath surrounded by limestone rock walls, with light streaming delicately down through the decking above, creating a luxuriously intimate space with an embracing cave-like comfort. Atmospheric bliss.Re-landscaping to enhance the connection to the garden from the house. New outdoor areas are added for different purposes including a mid-level terrace for entertaining, with a fire pit and built-in BBQ. The pool fencing is upgraded to glass and the location of the fencing is modified to allow for a larger and more sculptural garden with new decking and planting inside and around the pool area.Completed - awaiting professional photography.

Bilgola Home

An enchanting renovation, extensions and garden room with new landscaping.

A whimsical view of our design in Sydney’s Lilyfield. ⁣Bringing some cheer to a dark little home, this design opens up the house to bring in the light and pushes outwards through a number of extensions to create much needed space. These include a window box from one of the bedrooms to create a seating area with a view to the garden and drawers for storage underneath; a new bathroom 'box' roof addition to allow for a large bathroom with a skylight over a double shower in what was once an area with very low head height; a mezzanine level above a study space to create a bed deck with windows in a new pop-up section of roof; and the extension into the balcony space along with the area underneath to create habitable spaces with flexibility due to the indoor/outdoor nature of the glazing design. We're enhancing the relationship with the garden and areas of planting by encouraging green space to enter the dwelling both visibly and literally; creating shelves under skylights on which to place lots of plants, a planter box on the balcony which acts as a secondary privacy screen, a planter bed in the space below the balcony to bring the planting close to the living area, another planter in the deck outside the shower room for additional privacy and filtered light through leaves entering the space, planting all along the boundary to create a green view from the living space, and a new central planter to enjoy a sculptural fruiting tree as a focus of the outdoor space, with planting around it at the base.At the bottom of the garden is a new 'garden room' with a green roof which can be used as an office and a separate space for storage of bikes and garden equipment. Completed - awaiting professional photography.

Lilyfield Townhouse

An architectural reconfiguration that opens up a previously dark dwelling to gardens and sky.

Alterations and AdditionsSet on a leafy suburban street in Turramurra, this residential renovation reimagines a mid-century-inspired family home, integrating new spaces that respond to light, topography and landscape.The proposal introduces a layered, garden-focused approach to contemporary living. A new lower ground floor reclaims the site of the former front pool, replacing it with a double garage and gymnasium topped by a green roof. This green roof softens the home’s street presence while re-establishing a garden outlook from the elevated living areas above. Internally, the ground floor is reworked to offer greater flow and transparency across the living, kitchen and dining spaces. The reconfigured plan includes a new entry hall with skylight, shower room, laundry, butler’s pantry and kitchen, alongside a new alfresco courtyard that opens to the relocated pool at the rear. In doing so, the design reorients the recreational heart of the home from the front to the rear of the site, framing it with integrated bench seating, a herb garden and lush landscape. The first floor sees the roof form reconfigured with skylights to draw in natural light and improve ventilation throughout.MaterialityThe materials draw from a tactile, natural palette including timber, pale brick, stone and warm neutrals, complementing both the original house and its reimagined forms. Textures are layered in thoughtful composition, from handmade tiles and woven finishes to smooth polished concrete and brushed metal.Landscape DesignLandscape is central to the project’s integration. The green roof restores greenery to the front setback while the rear garden becomes a private retreat with layered native and drought-tolerant planting. The landscape plan focuses on softening level transitions, providing privacy screening and enhancing biodiversity.This is a home reshaped through careful subtraction and sculpted addition, respectful of its context, responsive to its occupants and elevated by craft and climate-aware design.Construction by New Dimension Developments.Photography and joinery by Betta Style Kitchens & Joinery.Architecture and interior complete - awaiting landscaping.

Turramurra House

Bangalay Resort Pool – Shoalhaven Heads, NSW

We’re fortunate to collaborate with the wonderful team behind Bangalay Luxury Villas. A place where nature, architecture and hospitality are held in careful balance.This serene pool sits within native plantings and complements the relaxed pace of the South Coast. While the overall design vision for the resort was led by the Bangalay team, we supported the realisation of the pool through detailed design and documentation.<blockquote>“The strong conceptual design philosophy for Bangalay was conceived by Owner and Interior Designer Michelle Bishop who worked alongside Architects and Landscape Designers to bring to life the resort. The concept of recreating the bush track to the beach in built form was what led all aspects of the design, materials and styling throughout the property. The concept translates into the dining experience with native and foraged foods sourced locally featured. The stylish, understated and neutral aesthetic is a perfect backdrop for a relaxed stay or event.” — Bangalay Luxury Villas</blockquote>We’re proud to continue supporting the team as they develop future stages of the resort’s vision.Photographers who have provided these images and their permissions:<ul><li>Amber Jenks @ajenksimagery</li><li>Ashley Sims @ashleigh_sims_</li><li>Danielle Cross @danielle_cross</li><li>Rachael Tagg @rachaeltagg</li><li>Sigourney Cantelo @SigourneyCantelo</li></ul>Construction by Tom Bishop.

Bangalay Resort Pool

Merriwa Farmhouse Exterior

Merriwa Farmhouse Interior

Bilgola Home

Lilyfield Townhouse

Turramurra House

Bangalay Resort Pool

Scone House

Scone House Interior

Scone House Landscaping

Allambie Heights Bathroom

Allambie Heights Interior

Collaroy Plateau House +

Allambie Heights Landscaping

Fairlight House

Kelly Street Laneway