For this young, professional family with two small children, their Menora home already held everything they valued – location, community, and a strong connection to their local school and social circles. What it lacked was space to grow.
Rather than moving, they chose to build upon what they had.
This project involved a carefully considered first-floor addition combined with a targeted reworking of the ground floor, designed to enhance both functionality and flow without compromising the home’s original character.
The new upper level introduces additional bedrooms, a bathroom, WC and a secondary sitting room, creating a dedicated zone for the children while offering flexibility as the family evolves. These spaces are connected via a newly formed stair void, which becomes a defining feature of the home.
Below, the ground floor was thoughtfully reconfigured to accommodate the new staircase, alongside improved storage, linen and robe provisions – practical adjustments that significantly improve day-to-day living.
At the centre of the design is a feature timber staircase with a custom balustrade, paired with a vaulted ceiling to the stair void. This creates a sense of openness and connection between old and new, adding architectural interest while maintaining warmth and cohesion.
The design response was carefully calibrated to the home’s setting within the City of Stirling Heritage Precinct, ensuring the addition sits comfortably within the existing architectural language. Materials, proportions and detailing were all considered to achieve a seamless outcome.
The result is a home that feels both familiar and elevated, delivering the space this growing family needed, while preserving the character and lifestyle they were not prepared to leave behind.