#housedesign#wood#architecture#australia Point Lonsdale House, designed by Solomon Troup Architects, is a thoughtful renovation project located in Victoria, Australia. It transforms a 1980s brick family home into a comfortable and sustainable retirement residence. The 40m² addition enhances the master bedroom with garden views and includes a reconfiguration of living areas, while maintaining a separate guest wing for visiting family.
Architects: Solomon Troup Architects Year: 2023 Photographs: Timothy Kaye Builders: David Webb Building Solutions Interior Design: Solomon Troup Architects Landscape Design: TNLA Engineering: Simon Anderson Consultants Joinery: Pavilion Joinery City: Point Lonsdale Country: Australia
Nestled among the dense Munah trees and coastal tea trees of Point Lonsdale,
Victoria, stands a home that shows how a small renovation can lead to a big transformation.
Point Lonsdale House, designed by Solomon Troop Architects.
This project began with a typical 1980s brown brick house, once home to a family of five.
Today, it has been thoughtfully adapted into a peaceful retreat for a retired couple,
while still keeping space available for future visits from their children and grandchildren.
The new addition is surprisingly modest, just 40 square meters, but incredibly effective.
Designed as a lean-to structure tucked beneath the existing roofline and eaves,
it houses a spacious and comfortable master bedroom, complete with direct views of a
The form of the new addition draws inspiration from the existing gabled roofline,
as well as the site's unusual shape. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac,
the house sits on an irregularly shaped lot, neither square nor rectangular,
which opened up opportunities for a dynamic and distinctive architectural response.
Beyond expanding the private living quarters, the renovation also involved a major reconfiguration
of the main living area, kitchen, and dining room. Interestingly, the old bedroom wing was
left largely untouched. This part of the house can be reactivated when the extended family
comes to stay, and closed off entirely when not in use. It's a smart and flexible solution.
One of the project's key goals was to minimize construction waste. Instead of demolishing the
entire house and starting from scratch, the architects made a conscious effort to preserve
and repurpose as much as possible. For instance, the original bathroom was converted into a guest
powder room, and an old window opening was transformed into the entrance to the new
suite. This approach was not only cost-efficient, but also environmentally responsible.
The exterior of the addition is clad in spotted gum timber battens,
which serve multiple purposes—aesthetic warmth, privacy, and sun protection. These battens act as
an operable screen for the ensuite bathroom, offering control over sight lines from the
public garden. They also shield the master bedroom facade from the harsh western sun.
Additional shading comes in the form of outdoor Venetian blinds. These can be fully opened in
the morning to let in the garden views, and closed in the afternoon to keep the space cool
and comfortable. Point Lonsdale House is a perfect example of how a modest intervention,
approached with care and thoughtfulness, can result in a home that's more functional,
sustainable, and rich with memory. It's an inspiring reference for anyone looking to
transform an older home into an ideal retirement retreat, without losing the
character that made it special in the first place.
