The Borogegal and Cammeraigal people of the Eora nation
NSW
Cloaked House reinterprets an existing mid-century home on a steep bush block. The design response is both bold and sensitive. The home is stripped back to its shell, with a new atrium courtyard carved inside. Elsewhere, more forensic work stitches old and new together in service ofe natural light, air and green outlook. Each facade is a tapestry of original and augmented openings, and countless salvaged materials are thoughtfully redeployed.
Sustainability measures include common-sense passive design principles and all-electric systems. The façade is cloaked in a new timber skin, transforming former blockwork walls into more performative reverse brick veneer. Critically, the design retains its concrete and steel bones, locking up valuable embodied carbon.
Cloaked House demonstrates that architects can extend a building’s serviceable life if we let resourcefulness, and retention, underscore our approach. If we do so, we can save, and celebrate, buildings that initially seem destined for demolition.
Despite lacking overt gestures of heritage preservation, Cloaked House deserves quiet applause for its subtle yet profound act of retention. Rather than erasing the past, the design embraces it, retaining the original structure and cloaking it in a new skin that whispers of modernity while treading lightly on the earth.
The resulting form is one of elegant restraint. A palette of recycled and low-carbon materials speaks not only to sustainability but to a deeper architectural humility. This is a house that does not shout, but listens to its context, its climate, and its history.
In a bold yet generous move, the omission of a front fence and garage dissolves the boundary between private and public. The home opens itself to the street, inviting connection rather than enclosure. A large glass void at the entrance acts as both threshold and lens framing glimpses of the tree canopy beyond, and drawing light, air, and movement deep into the heart of the home.
We enjoy our home every day. We love the dancing light and canopy outlook, which connect us to nature. The internal courtyard introduces much needed light and spaciousness. Its wonderful to be so open to the street, as the windows feel like an invitation for others to enjoy our view. Every room is a place you want to spend time in, which was definitely not the case beforehand. We love that we kept parts of the original house and that new detailing nods to former charms. And we love the garden, which feels like an extension of the house.
Jennifer McMaster, Design Architect
Jonathon Donnelly, Design lead
Casey Bryant, Design lead
Sam Koopman, Graduate
SDA Structures, Structural Engineer
TARN, Landscape Consultant
Crozier, Geotechnical Engineer
Ecological Design, ESD Consultant
JM Group, Hydraulic Consultant
The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
