Set inside the smartest small home renovation in Melbourne, A House to Gather by Sibling Architecture redefines suburban living through a design that celebrates connection, community and craft. Nestled in Thornbury, the project transforms a modest Federation semi-detached dwelling into a light-filled, modern home that feels generous without expanding its footprint. Every decision – from colour and materiality to spatial flow – reflects a refined approach to doing more with less, revealing how intimacy and openness can coexist inside the smartest small home renovation.
At the heart of the home lies the client’s brief: to create a place where family and friends could come together. Retaining the character of the heritage facade, Sibling Architecture introduced a bright and airy rear addition that brings natural light deep into the plan. A long corridor connects the restored front bedrooms to the open living space, offering a view from entry to garden and a sense of continuity that defines inside the smartest small home renovation. The addition of a third bedroom and second bathroom further extends the home’s liveability, showing that thoughtful design can achieve spatial generosity within a modest footprint.
Clever planning makes use of every centimetre of the narrow inner-suburban block. Bifold doors open to a small deck, dissolving the line between inside and out, while a wall of glass blocks filters light throughout the day. A new open staircase doubles as a visual feature, drawing the eye upward and creating a dynamic connection between levels. The result is a home that feels both spacious and contained.
Central to the project’s success is the innovative use of Laminex materials, particularly the Laminex Hush Pine finish that defines the kitchen. Beyond its striking colour, this surface was chosen for its durability and tactile quality – a product that can withstand the rhythms of family life while retaining a refined appearance. The deep green tone acts as an anchor within the open-plan space, grounding the palette and connecting with the Australian landscape outside. Sibling Architecture’s use of Laminex products demonstrates how contemporary materials can bridge performance and beauty, reinforcing the concept that practicality and warmth can coexist inside the smartest small home renovation.
In its scale and ambition, A House to Gather reflects a broader conversation about sustainability in Australian housing. By prioritising natural light, locally made materials and functional compactness, Sibling Architecture shows how architecture can foster quality of life within modest means. It’s an approach that encapsulates the essence inside the smartest small home renovation: design that serves people, not excess. The project demonstrates how architectural thinking can respond to the housing crisis by valuing craftsmanship, adaptability and energy efficiency over size or luxury.
Beyond its walls, the project stands as a model for how contemporary Australian homes can evolve – not through expansion, but through empathy, intelligence and adaptability. A House to Gather embodies the values of connection, craft and care, offering a blueprint for how small-space living can be both sustainable and deeply human.
00:00 – Introduction to the Smallest Small Home Renovation in Melbourne
00:40 – Designing a Compact, Multi-Use Home
01:11 – Walking Through the Home
02:31 – Colour and Light
04:12 – Favourite Moments
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Photography by Christine Francis.
Architecture and interior design by Sibling Architecture.
Build by VHAUS.
Joinery by Contegrity.
Filmed and edited by Ryan Wehi.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Thornbury, Victoria, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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