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Outdoor kitchens: The latest home improvement craze

Mint Design
Mint Design's Williamstown project. Photo by Daniel Corden

Sponsored by Australian Gas Networks

The COVID effect has been felt across all quarters of the home and the outdoors haven’t remained immune (pardon the pun!). In news that will surprise nobody, given the lockdowns that many endured, Australians are currently all about creating sanctuary-style homes that they never want to leave, and an improved backyard is an important piece of the puzzle.

“There has been a huge explosion in landscape design since COVID and the value of the backyard has shot up. People now see it as an extension of the house and the outdoor kitchen is becoming more important with people wanting to entertain at home much more,” says landscape designer, and Mint Design director, Darin Bradbury.

Mint Design’s Williamstown project. Photo by Daniel Corden

And while the outdoor BBQ, bar fridge and sink setup isn’t new, outdoor kitchen design is becoming much more sophisticated as people seek the same finishes outside that they have inside their homes. “People really see the outdoor kitchen as an extension of the house and there has been a real push to outdoor entertaining. People want a great kitchen and pool and everything at their fingertips,” says Darin.

Image: Kastell Kitchens
Williamstown by Mint Design
A Mint design project. Photo by Daniel Corden.

“The standard outdoor kitchen benchtop size is 2.4 metres long and it will typically house a BBQ, bar fridge and sink. I always try to encourage a sink so that you can wash your hands after handling meat,” says Darin who says who recommends space either side of the sink for platters and the like. The designer has also seen an explosion in interest in different cooking options with smokers, chargrill BBQs and pizza ovens currently the most requested items.

Real Dads of Melbourne project. Photo by Sally Goodall.
Darin favours surface mounted minimalist barbecue designs like this one used in the Real Dads of Melbourne’s holiday home. Photo by Sally Goodall.

“You used to have to buy a DIY pizza oven kit that had to be built into the benchtop but now there are plenty of great pre-fab options that sit atop the bench. They are smaller and don’t take up as much space and most of them have a gas starter so the days of sitting around waiting hours for your pizza oven to heat up are over,” says Darin. The latest pizza oven designs allow you to pre-heat with gas and then add wood.

Gas is still the main energy source for outdoor kitchens with the open flame a must for keen barbecuers. “Plumbed in gas and gas bottles are the standard for outdoor BBQs as there’s nothing that heats as fast and is as hot as gas when you’re outdoors in the elements,” says Darin.

Barwon Heads by Mint Design
Mint Design’s Barwon Heads project

When it comes to cost, many people are shocked to discover that an outdoor kitchen will set them back at least $15,000 but it’s largely due to the materials required. Outdoor kitchen materials have to be able to handle variations in temperature and sunlight and said finishes don’t come cheaply. “If your kitchen is fully exposed you need outdoor grade materials but if it’s under a pergola you will have more leeway with materials,” says Darin. 

When it comes to the bench top, Darin says that Dekton surfaces as well as natural stone or concrete are great options. “A ceramic material, Dekton is very pricey, but you can get a stone-look and it’s very durable and easy to clean. Concrete is a great option, but it must be sealed and resealed over time,” says Darin. 

Keilor East by Mint Design
Keilor East project. Photo by Daniel Corden.

Cabinetry materials are another challenge as you need good durability there too; Darin recommends Tricoya MDF which is a laminated timber that doesn’t shrink or swell. “You can paint that material in any colour that you like,” says Darrin. Cement sheeting is still a popular product for cupboard doors but, alternatively, Polytech has a lot of great outdoor cabinetry finishes which give a timber or stone look. “Again though, that product is expensive. If you want a slick, seamless outdoor kitchen the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can spend.”

As TV interior designer James Treble shared with us recently, the majority of his clients prefer cooking on gas. Thinking about gas at the early stages of a build or reno, and making the most of your gas connection, if you plan to have one, is paramount, he says.

“People need to think about if they’re cooking al fresco and having a gas point there too for their outdoor kitchen or built-in barbecue. You might also want a powerpoint there in case you need it for an ignitor, or perhaps an outdoor fridge, and even plumbing for a single sink.”

Can’t afford that outdoor kitchen right now? Allow for the plumbing, gas and powerpoints now at the build stage, so it’s an easier job later when you can.

Installing an outdoor natural gas BBQ? You may be eligible for a rebate!

Australian Gas Networks have rebates available for customers on their networks who are installing or purchasing new outdoor gas appliances. You can get more information here: Rebates | Australian Gas Networks

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Design Outdoor & Exteriors Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Cute Sydney courtyard given Euro-inspired reno in time for summer

Sydney courtyard

Nestled in one of Sydney’s harbourside suburbs, this petite courtyard was renovated recently, just in time for summer and its fabulous outdoor entertaining. The work of Joanne Neylon of Joanne Green Landscape and Interior (who celebrates 40 years in business this year!), the owners wanted the space to feel contemporary and tranquil while providing a backdrop for outdoor entertaining. They also wanted improved flow between the inside of their home and the outdoors.

Sydney courtyard
The new outdoor lounge area

Set on just 40 square metres and positioned adjacent to the street, Joanne was tasked with creating a private zone that still had a sense of openness – not an easy task. After demolishing the existing landscaping, the designer created a new levelled entertaining space with New Guinea Rosewood decking the foundation for the design.

Dining
Dining

From there, she added planting, lighting and furniture. “We included a number of custom features in this design, but my favourite would be the Rosewood gate – it was a small design feature which serves a functional purpose but is equally beautiful,” says Joanne. Custom fibreglass planters in Dulux Monument are a key garden detail, and they work to frame the entertaining space. 

The Rosewood gate
The Rosewood gate and custom fibreglass planters

The plant palette includes a classic mix of resilient exotics including palms, azalea, rain lily, Chinese star jasmine and camellia. “Our client had specifically requested a plant that would add colour and something she could pick, so the camellia delivered this perfectly,” says Joanne.

Clever lighting choices serve to highlight the garden at night – there’s a mix of overhead, wall, step, barbeque and garden. “Lighting is often something people overlook in a design but is an important element especially for those wanting to enjoy Sydney’s warm evenings outdoors,” says Joanne.

Custom built planter boxes
Custom built planter boxes

Overall, Joanne and her client are very happy with the new garden area that is set to be put to good use over the holiday season. “It wasn’t until the client had arranged the furniture that I thought, it reminded me of the south of France. It was the combination of colours, the striped awnings, lush palms and perhaps the ‘apartment near the ocean’ locale that evoked these feelings. I love it, and I know our client is very pleased.”

Sydney courtyard

Photography: Nicholas Watt

For more on Joanne Green Landscape and Interior

Embrace the sun with Freedom’s new outdoor furniture range

Welcome the sunshine this summer by merging your indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy alfresco living, extending your home while embracing the warmer weather. To help create this outdoor oasis…
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Outdoor & Exteriors

An outdoor oasis all year round: how?

As we firmly step into winter, the lure of venturing out to the backyard may not be as enticing as it is during summer. But this should not be the case! The alfresco is perfectly positioned to celebrate the outdoors and integrate the indoor dining and living areas of your home. With an abundance of style and functionality, the undercover alfresco is ideal for entertaining or a perfect space to unwind and relax, regardless of season. Cameron Fordred, Henley’s landscape designer, shares his insights on having an alfresco oasis all year round and how to maximise the space for you and your family.

Couch and dining comforts

To ensure you keep your outdoor furniture in great condition for use all year round, you need to make sure it is protected against the elements. If your furniture is not kept undercover, the best way to keep your exposed furniture safe from weathering and discolouration is by using a heavy duty exterior outdoor cover when it’s not in use. With a wide range of covers available to suit outdoor lounges, dining settings and umbrellas, there is definitely one to keep you covered!

Just remember, outdoor furniture is made for the elements but it still needs to be looked after. Try protecting your furniture with an external grade protectant spray like Scotchgard Outdoor Fabric Protector. It not only protects it from water damage but it also resists stains and makes clean-up easier and quicker when accidents occur.

The heat is on

There are a range of outdoor heaters available on the market from the freestanding patio heaters or small tabletop units to the larger wood burning fire pits. There are options to ensure everyone is kept warm.

Ceiling mounted radiant electric heaters are a great option for a covered area. Their subtle, minimalist and sleek design ensure they can be placed directly above your entertaining space. If nothing beats toasting marshmallows over a roaring, crackling fire, you can’t go past a wood burning cast iron fire pit or bowl. These bowls come in a range of sizes and designs. If you just want the look without all the hassle of chopping wood, perhaps consider a bioethanol burner. From tabletop size to something that creates a dramatic effect, there are lots of options to give you that warm, cosy feeling.

For the budget conscious, look at a group of freestanding refillable bamboo torches available from your local hardware store. Scatter these throughout your backyard and they are a great way to create ambience. Please remember that unattended fireplaces can cause accidents, always ensure that all fires are supervised.

Sizzle on the BBQ

Who doesn’t love a BBQ? Live your best life outdoors with a fully integrated outdoor kitchen. BBQ, side burners, fridge, drawers and cabinets. State of the art materials and technology allow for year-round entertaining. BBQs, smokers, that little slice of Italy with a pizza oven, built in, compact, freestanding, portable the options are endless. Why not try the latest craze- meat smokers including; offset, drum, cabinet, and egg, fuelled by gas, electric, pellet and solid fuels, are perfect for these cold winter days. 

Hot on trend

Making waves in the back yard at the moment include hanging chairs, beans bags and industrial finish cement tabletops.  The table tops feature powder-coated aluminium frames, hardwood tops, are 100% UV resistant and waterproof and boast modern colour combinations including Matte White and Gun Metal Grey. Enjoy inviting friends over and having everyone relaxed, comfortable and making memories that will last a lifetime.

The Cohen 22, featured in the Cranbourne Display Centre, has a stunning pizza oven on show in the Alfresco area.  Perfect for weekend entertaining or weekday dinners, it may provide further backyard inspiration for culinary delights.

Mistakes to avoid

Try not to clutter the space. You may feel the need to have a table and outdoor seating but this can lead to the area feeling tight and uninviting. Go for a larger table with plenty of seating, ensuring everyone feels comfortable. Avoid using indoor furniture outdoors as this outdoor environment will ruin your furniture.

–Cameron Fordred is a landscape designer for Henley, one of Australia’s leading homebuilders with over 30 years of experience in the building industry.

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Expert Tips Outdoor & Exteriors

Fire proofing your yard: Five expert tips

Landart Landscapes

While this year’s bushfire season has already been harrowing in its effects, it’s horrifying to think that we’re only at the beginning. With a brutal bushfire season predicted for the weeks and months ahead, we caught up with landscape designer Matt Leacy, of Landart Landscapes, who shares his top tips for mitigating fire risk around your home.

Landart Landscapes

“I love the Australian bush, and live near bushland myself, so I would never want to seem alarmist in my approach to fire-prepping. However, the reality is that we’re already experiencing devasting fire conditions in many parts of Australia and signs are pointing to a long, dry summer – so we’ve got to be as proactive as possible when it comes to mitigating fire risks to our homes and outdoor spaces,” says Matt, who is also resident garden guru on Channel Ten’s The Living Room.

“While there’s no way to entirely fire-proof your property, property owners shouldn’t underestimate how much a good garden clean-up, prune and some clever plant choices can potentially make in reducing bushfire risks to your home,” says Matt.

1. Tidy up and trim back
“As much as it may seem an obvious and tedious task, one of the best things you can do is to thoroughly prune and tidy up around your gardens and property,” says Matt.

This includes cleaning gutters (especially if your house is surrounded by large trees) and ensuring that all of the old dry leaves from autumn and winter are cleared away from your property. “You should also ensure that dead branches are cut away, and trees and other plants are trimmed right back away from your house,” says Matt.

For some properties, installing fire irrigation on the roof, or some extra hose points, might be worth considering. “If a fire borders your property, it could make a critical difference to be able to wet your house down and put out spot fires from embers from multiple angles,” says Matt.

2. Know what is in your garden
“It’s useful to have at least some knowledge of how flammable the plants and trees on your property are – and if you’re unsure and surrounded by lots of gardens and bushland, it might be worth engaging a professional to help inform you,” says Matt who explains that plants that are known to ignite quickly (and some will even explode) include tea tree, Cyprus, pines, eucalypts and various other natives.

“Obviously, if you have a beautiful, well-established eucalyptus tree – which is also an important wildlife habitat, you aren’t likely going to want to remove it entirely. But if you can prune it back and maintain it – especially the branches that are dying off – as well as control what’s around it, you’ll help to reduce associated fire risks,” says Matt who adds that you must check with your local authority as to how much of the tree you can remove each year.

3. Landscaping choices
“When introducing new varieties into your outdoor spaces, choose plants that are fire retardant – that is, plants that don’t ignite and therefore make areas less flammable,” says Matt.

Plants that have a high moisture content in their leaves, as well as big thick leaves rather than fine hard leaves, will help protect your home from falling embers. Some of these plants include, saltbush, lavender, hydrangea, white cedar, succulents, grey or silver mulga, wattles, lilly pilly, kangaroo paw, palms, Moreton bay figs, Scaevola – fan flower, Cyathea, Dianella, Hymenopsermum – Native frangipani, Myoporum, Senecio, Syzygium  viola and various species of flax and pigface.

Succulents have high water content
Succulents have high water content and are thus more fire retardant

“Keep in mind that if some of these plants dry out, they may then burn. But vegetables (especially if you have a patch bordered by a pathway or pebbles) are also a great option,” says Matt who suggests choosing plants with smooth bark, rather than rough bark, and checking with your local nursery to check which plants are suitable for your area.

“Also, do your best when designing your garden to plant fire resistant trees and plants in a shield format, particularly if your property is bordered on any side by bushland. Lower shrubs and ground covers are a better choice than big tall trees or hedges,” says Matt who also recommends stones, gravel and pebbles as an alternative to ‘fire fuel’ such as wood chips.

“From a design perspective, if you are starting fresh with a new garden, or can adapt what you already have, I’d suggest planting trees at least 10 metres from you house. Also, include pebbled, paved, tiled or concrete pathways to help create fire breaks,” says Matt. And for anybody whose property backs onto a national park, from a pool to a tennis court or large stretches of lawn, it’s a good idea to put something between the bushland and your home.

Landart Landscapes

You should also avoid clumping too many trees together (a tight canopy can carry fire), and avoid having trees that grow over, or onto, your house.

4. Lawns and water provision
“Lawns can act as a physical barrier, if you’ve been able to keep them green during water restrictions and very dry conditions,” says Matt.

Lawn
Large expanses of lawn can act as a safety barrier for your home

While not possible for everybody, Matt suggests pre-planning for upcoming rainfall and installing water tanks. “When we do eventually get rain, these tanks can be used to maintain a green garden, which can help to ward off the severity of bushfires later down the track,” says Matt.

Sinking a bore, for watering, might be a feasible option too but you must obtain approval and licensing to do so so.“Drip watering systems are also a great, simple and cost-effective way to transport water into your garden in an eco-friendly manner,” says Matt.

5. Help local fauna find refuge
“If you’re in the sad situation of being hit by fires (and hopefully it’s just your garden you need to re-build), or you live in an area with bushland that’s been ravaged by fires, look at how you can help support the animals in the area,” says Matt.

You can support local animals by leaving out buckets of water, or incorporating water features with fresh water, or bird baths into your garden. “If you know what animals are in your region, you might look at establishing plants and garden features that wildlife could seek refuge in and use as a food source,” says Matt who suggests purchasing seed to feed birds and other animals in extreme situations.

“Note that if you’re encouraging wildlife into your garden, you should be more vigilant with cats and other domestic pets that may hunt displaced fauna seeking refuge in your outdoor spaces.”

Matt Leacy
Landscape designer Matt Leacy

Photography: Jason Busch

For more on Matt Leacy | Backyard ideas: 3 reno projects to get it summer-ready

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Furniture Homewares Outdoor & Exteriors

Up to 70% off at Garden Life’s 10-day moving sale

Lightweight trough pots was $195 now $95

Garden Life, in Sydney’s Redfern, is moving to St Peters. So to celebrate, they are having a 10-day sale from tomorrow to Sunday 26 April.

Lightweight trough pots was $195 now $95
Lightweight trough pots was $195 now $95

With up to 70% off pots, outdoor furniture and homewares, you are sure to find a bargain. And with a reputation for stocking a unique range of products you are also destined to find a showstopper for your urban garden.

Beaded Indonesian bowls were $70 now $25
Beaded Indonesian bowls were $70 now $25

With a shop, design studio and maintenance business, Garden Life is the go-to place for all your landscaping needs. Visit their sale at 357 Cleveland Street, Redfern.

Marble Lotus Planter was $1450 now $950
Marble Lotus Planter was $1450 now $950

For more information.

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Expert Tips

5 golden tips for the perfect home grown Aussie Christmas

With the countdown to Christmas officially on and chocolate advent calendars hitting the shelves, it’s time to give your garden a little facelift and prepare for the celebrations! Matt Leacy of Landart Landscapes shares his expertise on preparing your outdoor area for the silly season, and also bringing things from your garden indoors to help decorate.

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict 3

1. Reining in the Christmas spirit

Adding summer favourites of potted colour with fragrance such as gardenias or jasmine is a great way to start. Australian Christmas is usually celebrated outdoors so investing in some summer colour is a must! Frangipani trees, Bottlebrush and Grevillea are some beautiful native options. They all have showy red, pink or yellow flowers that will enhance even the most mundane of gardens.

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict

2. Home grown decorations

Don’t spend a fortune on store-bought festive accessories – Christmas decorations can be sourced straight from the garden. Change things up, perhaps an outdoor Christmas tree? A tree that is in fruit such as lemon or orange will allow the fruit to act as natural decoration. Try adding garden lights for a simple yet classy touch. For a more classic approach, topiary can be good way to add a festive touch to the garden and would suit those with a more traditional garden.

Try placing simple sprigs of greenery into colourful vases to spread the festivity throughout the house. Need a centrepiece that makes a statement? Filling a large, glass vase with layers of lemons, limes and red holly berries, not only looks great but will last throughout the Christmas season.

Another option is creating native wreaths for the front door – pale green and silvery coloured gum leaves and the silver dollar eucalyptus leaf with flowers of a Corymbia ‘Summer Beauty’ and painted gum nuts could look quite spectacular when put all together.

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict 6

3. Greens for days

One of the hottest herbs right now, mint is the perfect addition to your summer spreads. This leaf packs a big, refreshing punch to your classic lemonades, ice teas, watermelon salads and the much-loved mojito. Growing mint by seed can be painfully tricky so head to your local nursery or market for inexpensive seedlings. With regular water and a little shade, your mint will grow vigorously, so pots are the best option – and will ensure that surrounding plants aren’t overtaken or destroyed.

Hosting Christmas lunch at your place with the entire extended fam? Stay prepared and keep it fresh by planting seedlings of salad greens such as lettuce, rocket and spinach every couple of weeks. Rocket, pear and parmesan salad anyone? Baby rocket, for example, is ideal to have on hand in your garden for summer salads, to add crunch to sandwiches and as a great side dish.

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict 1

4. Red and ripe

Red and juicy tomatoes are always a crowd pleaser, particularly when it comes to fresh salads, pasta sauce or just a healthy summer snack. And home-grown tomatoes that have soaked up plenty of sunshine are always so much more full of flavour than store-bought tomatoes that have often been kept in cool rooms. Enjoy weekend brunches of bruschetta – using your diced red tomatoes, mixed with olive oil and placed on top of toasted crunchy bread, garnish with basil (also from your garden!) and even include the scrumptious leg ham leftovers…

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict 2

5. Take a load off…

After all the organising and fussing, sit back, relax and enjoy your holidays with the people you love most. Avoid being beaten inside by those summer rays by creating a shady haven in your garden. For those gardens without any natural shaded areas or large trees, there are plenty of affordable man-made options that will ensure you and your guests can relax comfortably and stylishly away from the sun’s glare.

A large umbrella is a great addition to any patio and can transform a seating area into a cool oasis without losing the outside ambience. Umbrellas not only offer an instant escape from the sun, they are conveniently mobile and can be set up on the lawn or poolside, and angled to banish sun glare no matter what the time of day it is.

If your summer entertaining guest list is too big for an umbrella to cover, introducing a more substantial shaded area into your back yard like a canopy can provide a cosy and versatile shaded area, which can be transformed to suit your guests. Whether you’re hosting a late lunch or need a cool area for the children to play, a cabana provides a great way for everyone to enjoy your outdoor space. Retractable awnings, pergolas and outdoor pavilions, some complete with full outdoor kitchens, are all great ways of adding some protection and intimacy to your back garden and can bring a touch of style to your outdoor living area.

Landart Landscapes Interiors Addict 4

–Matt Leacy is a landscape designer and director of Landart Landscapes.

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Designers Interviews

HASSELL’s Scott Walker on why interior design is as important as architecture

In a world that is sometimes quick to favour the discipline of architecture over interior design, Scott Walker, head of interior design at HASSELL, is determined to dispute that belief.

Claremont Apartments
Claremont Apartments

“One aspect of our studio we are most proud of is that we are not an architectural practice with a few interior designers or landscape architects scattered throughout as a mechanism to tick the ‘we are a multidisciplinary design firm’ box,” explains Scott. “Our disciplines have strong voices within our culture. For example, we are one of the larger firms of architects and yet our managing director is an interior designer. Very few design firms in the world would give such a voice to often marginalised design disciplines.”

Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo

Originally studying architecture himself, Scott deferred after a couple of years to get some real world experience at a small architectural practice. Two years later, he returned to university, but this time with a clearer idea in his mind as to where he fit in the design world, beginning a degree in interior design at Melbourne’s RMIT.

CV_Scott Walker_Photo2
HASSELL’s head of interior design, Scott Walker

He has worked at a range of practices, but has been at HASSELL for the last ten years. A respected international firm, Scott’s role as head of interior design has him oversee 15o designers located throughout Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. As a result he travels extensively, something he marks as both the biggest benefit and the biggest challenge of his job.

“Distance and the sheer amount of work continue to be a juggle,” says Scott. “Whilst the internet makes us all more connected, there’s nothing better than working face to face, so travel is fundamental to being international. Australia is too far away. Having said that, the challenge is also the benefit. Travel in itself, visiting international cities is an obvious benefit, which fuels inspiration.”

Claremont Apartments
Claremont Apartments

Working across all sectors: residential, hospitality and commercial, Scott’s primary role is focusing on improving the design quality of HASSELL’s projects and improving the processes amongst their teams: “Put simply, my role is to make everything we design, excellent.” While he is based in Melbourne, he is involved in all the overseas projects and is particularly enjoying working on a new residential build in Singapore. “This project involves our architecture and landscape architecture teams,” explains Scott. “Having the opportunity to develop interiors from the project’s inception and then integrate the design with our landscape team means that we are constantly working beyond the bounds of what people normally consider interiors.”

1160_26-07-2013_5202
Flinders Street Station

1160_26-07-2013_1851
Flinders Street Station

Always favouring his current job: “My favourite projects tend to be the ones l’m working on now. I’m not sentimental!” He has to confess that the Flinders Street Station competition, which last year saw HASSELL’s design be unanimously selected as the winner for the redevelopment of the historic site, was a very exciting project to be a part of. “Flinders Street Station is so central to Melbourne’s psyche and the development of the site and the station itself would place Melbourne ‘out there’ in international terms. Flinders Street could do for Melbourne what the Guggenheim did for Bilbao and at the same time be instrumental in helping fix our public transport issues.”

While the project is yet to get the go-ahead to be built, the win is certainly one of HASSELL’s biggest achievements (alongside the more than 850 awards they have won!), especially for a firm that refuses to prioritise profit. “Through the GFC and the general issues to do with the running of a largish practice, we have remained committed to designing a range of projects at various scales,” explains Scott. “We have not let the commercial aspect of running a business overtake the idea that it is design excellence that will drive success, not large profits.”

See more of HASSELL’s work at their website.

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Designers Interviews

Interview: Architect Mel Bright on building smarter, not larger

She may be the director of an award-winning architecture firm, but humble Mel Bright still sees herself as an emerging designer: “Building a practice and good reputation takes time – each project takes about two years so seven years go by very quickly. For me, I’m still very much an emerging designer, which is all about thinking big, finding a life balance and working hard.”

Mel Bright, Make Architecture. Photograph by Martina Gemmola.
Photo credit: Martina Gemmola

The founder of MAKE Architecture, Mel and her team of four work primarily in residential. With more of an interest in process and approach rather than style, the outcome of all their projects is driven by the client’s brief and the site itself.

“A site-specific response is an important starting point for us,” says Mel. “This happens at the scale of the city and also at the smaller scale of the specific site context. Much of the work we do is renovations to existing residential buildings in Melbourne so the existing heritage of the house plays an important role in forming our design response.”

house reduction
House Reduction. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

Believers in quality not quantity, MAKE focus on the way buildings can make our lives better, an idea that is particularly evident in their award-winning project, House Reduction. The first project that saw them gain national recognition, House Reduction was a novel idea that saw the interior of the house actually be reduced in size. “The brief was to help this family remain living in the inner city but give them a larger garden,” explains Mel. “So we removed their 80s extension and rebuilt that part of the house in a much more efficient way. The idea being that maybe we can design smarter rather than larger.”

house reduction 2
House Reduction. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

The property also comprised another of their projects, Little Brick Studio; a studio garage at the rear of the site. MAKE didn’t stop there, also designing the landscape and the pool to create an integrated overall design concept, something which Mel believes is pivotal when creating a home.

“I always feel disappointed if the landscape’s not done at the same time as the rest of the project. I don’t understand how you can have a beautiful house but then look out onto a patch of dirt and broken fences. So we are really trying to push our clients to finish the project and that’s not just finishing the architecture and the interior but finishing the landscape as well.”

little brick studio
Little Brick Studio. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

With many projects in the pipeline, Mel is particularly excited about a house and studio in St Kilda and house in Balaclava. Here they are exploring some new materials, as well as having to work within the tight parameters of a site that has two huge trees which are in the way of the planned extension. But it is this idea, of working with the site, rather than against it, that has always been MAKE’s approach, something they count as their niche.

“We believe good design shouldn’t just look good it should be useful and it should last,” she explains. “We also like the idea of process rather than style, of drawing on the materials and details in the existing house to inform our design response and reinterpreting and responding in a contemporary way.”

tree house
Balaclava Tree House

While MAKE have taken out the top prizes at the Houses Awards and the Think Brick Awards, Mel is most proud of the fact that she has done all of this while being a mother. “I am very proud that we have done all of this while I have juggled two small kids (now five and two) and that we manage to work sustainable working hours. I think it is so important in our industry that we strive to achieve excellence within sustainable working hours and with a work life balance!”