Pinjarra Hills House by Sullivan Skinner – Innovative Residential Extension in Brisbane, Australia

Perched on sloping land beside a serene creek in Brisbane’s semi-rural outskirts, Pinjarra Hills House, designed by Sullivan Skinner Architects, is a thoughtful extension and renovation of a 1970s brick home. Completed in 2021 and covering 330 m², this family residence blends indoor and outdoor living, connecting occupants with the natural landscape while enhancing everyday family life.

The primary brief focused on improving social spaces, strengthening the connection to the existing swimming pool, enlarging the kitchen and bathrooms, and clarifying the entry sequence for visitors. Previously, the family’s daily activities—cooking, dining, playing, swimming, and relaxing—were confined to disconnected zones. The renovation sought to stitch these activities together, creating a cohesive, interrelated domestic environment that prioritizes interaction and connectivity.

One of the major challenges was the home’s physical and visual disconnection from its surroundings. Low-pitched patio roofs over the kitchen and dining areas restricted natural light and circulation, while altered ground levels limited engagement with the pool. The new design introduces two gabled forms arranged along the high contour of the site, restructuring the open space into terraces that seamlessly integrate with the pre-existing pool. These forms house a family room and pavilion, framing expansive views of the surrounding eucalypt and pine tree canopy, and creating a strong visual connection with the natural landscape.

Sullivan Skinner Architects implemented several strategies to maximize daylight, ventilation, and privacy. Three skylight shafts were introduced to balance natural light throughout the interior, while carefully placed door, window, and skylight openings diffuse light across floors, walls, and ceilings, minimizing glare. The design amplifies sunlight penetration while maintaining privacy from neighboring residences, creating a luminous, comfortable, and energy-efficient home.

The material palette is restrained yet impactful, reflecting a modern Australian aesthetic. The gabled additions are constructed using few, high-quality materials that harmonize with the original 1970s dwelling while asserting a contemporary presence. Interiors are simple and functional, emphasizing spatial quality, daylight, and connection to nature.

Today, Pinjarra Hills House is more than a renovated dwelling—it’s a holistic family environment where occupants can fully inhabit the landscape. It exemplifies modern residential architecture in Australia, demonstrating how thoughtful extensions can transform dated structures into functional, light-filled, and visually engaging homes.

All the photographs are works of David Chatfield