38 Arnott Crescent

01 — The site

A north-facing block on the high side of the crescent

The 651 m² lot rises about eight metres from the street to the rear boundary. That slope is the whole idea: the living level sits at garden height at the back, the new garage tucks into the cut at the front, and everything in between catches northern sun and the north-east summer breeze.

Frontage

15.24 m

Depth

42.9 m

Rise

≈ 8 m street to rear

Orientation

Rear garden faces north

02 — Before

Solid bones, a dated face

The existing two-storey brick home sits mid-block under a hipped tile roof, with the garage tucked beneath the living level and a small balcony to the street. The structure is worth keeping. The rest is ready for a new chapter.

Existing floor area

171 m²

Construction

Brick, tile roof

03 — The transformation

New roof, new skin, new front door

The hips give way to a crisp 22° gable in Colorbond Paperbark. The brick is wrapped in vertical Dover White cladding. A tall gabled entry with a natural stone surround and timber door anchors the street façade, and a new living wing at the rear opens to the garden through a full-height glazed gable. The ridge stays inside the council's 8.5 m height limit.

04 — Secondary dwelling & garage

A second home at street level

A new double garage is cut into the slope at the front of the block. Above it sits a 60 m² self-contained secondary dwelling: two bedrooms, bathroom, laundry and an open kitchen and living room that steps out to its own private courtyard. It has its own gabled Colorbond roof, skylights and rainwater tank. Ideal for extended family, guests or an income stream.

Secondary dwelling

60 m² · 2 bed · 1 bath

Garage

60 m² · double · 2.7 m ceiling

05 — Ground floor

The arrival level

The old under-house garage becomes the way in. A front porch leads to a generous entry hall and mud room, with a rumpus room, bathroom, laundry and storage. A laundry chute drops straight down from the bedrooms above.

06 — First floor

Four bedrooms and a garden-level living wing

Upstairs, a master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, three more bedrooms, a family bathroom and a study nook. The new open-plan kitchen with walk-in pantry, dining and a living room with fireplace flow out through full-height glazing to a covered patio and level lawn. Four skylights light the centre of the plan.

07 — Materials

Coastal, calm, low-maintenance

A restrained palette that suits the beaches: Paperbark roof, Dover White cladding, Ecru accents around the entry and garage, white windows and hoods, natural stone at the front door and warm timber to open it.