Hidden in suburban North Manly, Hillcrest House reveals the quiet art of suburban renewal. Brent Yttrup Architectures' thoughtful intervention transforms a modest post-war home into a light-filled sanctuary where a majestic gum tree takes centre stage. The architect's own, owner-built home deftly navigates a challenging site to achieve privacy and intimate connections with nature.

The home's timber-framed extension sits atop a rock outcrop. The "crow's nest" music studio emerges through the canopy, while below, spaces flow effortlessly from the compact kitchen to garden gathering spots. Local blackbutt timber executed with master craftsmanship features throughout. The design demonstrates how environmental performance can be achieved without aesthetic compromise, integrating solar passive principles with considered material choices.

Here is proof that with skilled architectural thinking, our suburban heritage can be preserved and reimagined for contemporary life, creating homes that enhance private amenity and neighborhood character through sensitive adaptation rather than demolition.

All photos by Pablo Veiga

A return Client after we designed their holiday house in Shoreham, the Pounds admitted straight up that they (or he) had bought the “ugliest house” in one of Elwood's best streets, and on first inspection, we agreed with them.

We also agreed that the house had great "bones" and could become something very special.

The brief was to demolish the rear of the house and replace with a new kitchen, meals and living area, along with the private, warm lounge room. A light court was added to bring light into the centre of the home and made for a great feature when entering the house and coming down the stair.

A vertical timber screen using Australian hardwood battens sits on a steel frame, making the existing balcony private from the street for the front bedroom to use.

The master bed suite sits overlooking the bay with the initial site inspection revealing that a view to the You Yangs could be scene 40km away on a sunny day. This view was captured with a carefully positioned window in the shower.

The walk-in robe had custom joinery designed, including drawer inserts for ties, jewelery and various knickknacks to keep them organised.

The rooms were carefully composed considering the best hanging position of the couples extensive art collection along with paint colours selected the compliment the artwork.

A cycling change robe was designed into the laundry that was accessible directly from the garage so heading out for a morning ride didn’t disturb the whole household.

The rear garden had a pool with the whole of the rear of the house opening up with massive glass sliding doors. A big porch roof protects this from hot west sun and shelters the BBQ area for rear round outdoor dining.

The Schroeders had come to us with a house which we designed the renovation for a few years before. They came back again, originally with the intent of renovating, but it soon became apparent that a new build on another site was the best option to deliver what they wanted.

Solar passive design on a difficult N-S running Herne Hill, Geelong site drove the form of this house. High clearstory windows illuminate the living, dining and kitchen area with the polished concrete slab absorbing the direct daytime sun, releasing it as heat at night. The architecture features modern forms but with conventional materials to meet he budget. Double glazed for energy efficiency.

A multi-generational home including grand mother, parents and 4 children, the efficiency of the plan and functional wet area design was critical to keep this families mornings running smoothly.

Natural Australian timbers, feature concrete blocks, feature galvanised steel beam and fibre cement sheet were carefully composed to create elevations that were well balanced, with the folded forms of the metal roof overhanging the perfect distance to protect critical windows on hot summer days.

Designed and renovated over 3 stages, Wallace Street made a dark and pokey early 1900's, clinker brick house, into a warm, sunlit family home, for a busy family of 4

Brent worked at Hamlan Homes as their Head Architect for 2 years and was involved in the development of their corporate strategy, which resulted in the development and launch of a new range of homes in 2016.

This range has been hugely successful, with Display Home awards, but also some of the facades become known as the new coastal aesthetic for the Bellarine and Surf Coast.

Working within Builders such as Hamlan and Burbank Homes has provided noby architects with a massive amount of experience in build-ability, affordable construction and project/team management.

We continue to work with Hamlan Homes in developing their new houses and facades for their ranges and hope to work with other Builders in regional NSW and Sydney.

Frank Street Development was designed by Brent whilst working with Hamlan Homes. It’s a relationship that continues, with noby architects continuing to work on developments with The Begley Group and associated businesses.

Frank Street features 6 townhouses set within a street with a mix of 50’s modern, 90’s mock-heritage developments and modern houses.

The design response sort to transition from the more traditional aesthetic on each end to more contemporary in the centre. Floor plans were designed to appeal to a wide range of people, including families, but also retirees by creating houses that allowed for them to ‘age in place’ with all they need on the ground floor.