Brackenbury

Landscape Design: Esjay Landscapes
Photography: Marnie Hawson

A major extension of this family home not only created more social spaces for growing teens. It also offered an opportunity to improve the structure’s environmental credentials.

People sitting around a fire pit on a wooden deck in a backyard, with a modern two-story house with wood siding and large windows in the background, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Close-up of the underside of a modern building's overhang, with a wooden ceiling and glass windows reflecting trees outside.

Family break-out spaces abound, with every space used. A new laundry doubles as a bar, while a new expansive deck includes a dining and barbecue area.

The timber cladding requires minimal oiling, and blends with the surrounding gum trees. A similarly natural look extends to the cabinetry inside.

Modern kitchen with a white countertop, potted plants, and a sink, set against black wooden exterior walls.

Modern laundry room with white countertop, stainless steel sink, black accents, wooden stool, potted plants, and outdoor view through large glass doors.

An outdoor patio with a wooden dining table and six beige woven chairs, decorated with potted green plants and a large center plant in a gray pot. The patio has wood flooring and is adjacent to a modern house with black and gray wood siding, and glass windows, with trees visible in the background.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, open shelving, a concrete island with three stools, and a white tiled backsplash with geometric pattern.

A woman sitting on a gray couch in a living room, reading a book, with large glass sliding doors leading to an outdoor patio with chairs, a dining table, and lush greenery.

Living room with a wooden dining table and six rattan chairs, a large floral painting on the wall, and decorative vases with flowers on a wooden sideboard.

Simple finishes include brass tapware, rustic concrete benches, natural sisal floorcoverings and extensive timber to infuse the interiors with the character of the state park environment outside.

Bedroom with wooden bed, beige bedding and pillows, concrete wall, sliding glass door opening to a deck and backyard with trees and chairs.

Modern bathroom with a grey stone wall, round mirror, wooden vanity with grey countertop, potted plant, wall-mounted faucet, towel hanging on the wall, and part of a white bathtub with bath accessories.

Close-up of a minimalist bathroom corner featuring a white rectangular sink, with textured dark speckled wall and white tiled upper wall, and a gold horizontal towel bar.

High-performance features include SIPS (structural insulated panel systems) for the walls and roof, cross-laminated timber floors, and double-glazed tilt-and-turn windows.

Wooden shelving unit with decorative dishes, plants, books, and wooden birds, and a metal stool in front.

A dog going up wooden stairs in a modern, minimalist home with light-colored walls, wooden flooring, plants, and a hanging light fixture.

Modern living area with a pool table, green sofa with cushions, and a small kitchenette with wooden cabinets, white backsplash, and black-framed windows showing trees outside.