Austin Maynard Architects has completed Hotham House, a thoughtful renovation and extension of a 1930s Inter-War bungalow in Canberra's historic Deakin suburb. The 361-square-meter family home demonstrates how sensitive architectural intervention can preserve cultural heritage while meeting contemporary living needs. Located on an established suburban street with direct views of Parliament House, the project embodies the firm's commitment to sustainability and contextual design.
The original brick cottage, built in 1937 for a government doctor named Dr. Lodge, sits at the heart of the new design. Austin Maynard Architects preserved the historic structure and added two complementary pavilions connected by glass links, creating a tripartite composition that respects the neighborhood's character. The design carefully maintains the original building's proportions and roof forms while introducing contemporary elements that enhance functionality and livability.
Deakin holds special significance in Canberra's architectural history, originally housing senior public servants, diplomats, and academics in homes that showcased Inter-War Functionalist style. The suburb features work by celebrated architects including Harry Siedler, James Burrell, and Gilford Bell, with a home by important architect Bert Reid located directly across from Hotham House. The Deakin Residents Association actively works to protect this architectural legacy from inappropriate development pressures.
The clients, a professional couple with two young daughters, approached Austin Maynard Architects after visiting the firm's award-winning Empire house during the Canberra Design Festival. They sought a home that would be "unique, creative, playful, and functional" while providing healthy spaces for their children to grow. Despite the potential for higher costs and construction complexity, the family chose renovation over demolition to honor the building's history and contribute positively to the neighborhood character.
The architectural response creates distinct zones for different family activities while maintaining visual and physical connections throughout. The left pavilion houses practical and social functions including a laundry, boot room, and multipurpose rumpus room with a concealed play space in the ceiling. The right pavilion contains the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and two children's bedrooms designed as mirror images of each other, separated by a heavy curtain that allows the spaces to be opened or closed as needed.
Sustainability principles guided every design decision, from material selection to energy systems. The architects reused the original red bricks and carefully reinstated historic roof tiles on the new extension. The home features 100% electric systems powered by a 7.7kW solar array with battery provision, electric heat pump systems for hot water and pool heating, and high-performance double glazing throughout. Passive solar design maximizes natural heating and cooling while extensive insulation addresses Canberra's extreme climate conditions.
The garden plays a central role in the design, brought inside to create a lush internal oasis visible from every room. Frameless glass at each end of the main corridor creates the perception of endless green space, while the flooring mirrors external crazy paving patterns. An audit of existing trees preceded design development, and the architects carefully planned around significant specimens to preserve the site's established landscape character.
From the street, Hotham House appears deliberately understated, sitting quietly beneath the canopy of large established trees. The new elements copy the exact roof forms and angles of the original bungalow, sharing the same architectural DNA while layering vistas back to the street. This approach ensures the addition appears as a natural part of the street's chronological development rather than an intrusive contemporary intervention.
The project addresses embodied carbon concerns by preserving existing structures rather than pursuing complete redevelopment. As architect Andrew Maynard explains, "The most sustainable buildings are the ones that make the best ruins; they just don't want to be knocked down." The renovation demonstrates alternatives to low-cost redevelopment while showcasing how architectural "weaving" can be more valuable than "rewriting" the built environment.
Completed in 2025, Hotham House represents Austin Maynard Architects' continued commitment to contextual design that respects Canberra's unique architectural heritage. The project follows their earlier Empire house, winner of the prestigious Canberra Medallion, and further establishes their reputation for creating buildings that contribute positively to Australia's capital city. Through careful attention to sustainability, functionality, and community character, Hotham House offers a model for responsible residential architecture that honors the past while embracing the future.
