Say hello to Ample House - an enduring, energy-efficient home that’s just enough. Set against the backdrop of busy Brunswick, this quiet home is an inner-suburban sanctuary for a couple approaching retirement.

The clients faced a familiar downsizing dilemma: how to reduce their footprint without sacrificing the functionality and comfort of a family home. The solution was spatial agility. Carefully designed, high-quality, multi-purpose spaces with integrated storage eliminated unnecessary floor area, while preserving - and enhancing - a generous, productive garden where their love of gardening could flourish.

Navigating a heritage overlay often creates tension with modern energy-performance goals. Here, no compromise was required. By extending the existing roofline, new north-facing living spaces were created while retaining the heritage character of the street. The result is a home filled with natural light, improved thermal performance and lower ongoing energy costs.

Inside, a calming palette of warm timber detailing and tactile terrazzo flooring counters Brunswick’s industrial hustle and social bustle. Combined with double glazing, insulation and carefully framed garden views, the home feels expansive, peaceful and restorative.