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10 Of Our Favourite Humble Brick Home Transformations

The suburban brick home is sometimes seen as the ‘ugly duckling’ of the architectural world, but there’s something endearing about these humble dwellings.

From interwar red brick bungalows to post-war brick veneer homes, and mid-century modern builds, these familiar houses have an enduring charm.

Here are 10 of our favourite brick home transformations from the TDF archive that prove how to give these robust buildings a new lease on life.

Written

Christina Karras

Smith House by Fowler and Ward. The architects opened up the back of the house and added an eight-square-metre extension to optimise natural light. Photo – Martina Gemmola

Landscaping by Clea Creagan of Miniscape Projects. Photo – Martina Gemmola

The sunken lounge. Spatula Brilliante tiles from Tiento. Galet carpet from Bremworth. Photo – Martina Gemmola

A Charming Preservation Of A 1970s Suburban Brown Brick Home

When tasked with renovating this brown brick home in Brunswick West, Victoria, Fowler and Ward were briefed to embrace the character of the quintessential suburban build.

In fact, it only took a few fundamental moves dealing with light, views and spatial connections to completely transform the house from its dark and poorly connected former state.

Now, with a nostalgic palette of rich, warm hues that hark back to its origins, an open-plan layout and even a sunken lounge, this home stands as a shining example of ‘retention before reinvention’.

Read the full story here.

Fellows by JAK Architecture. Photo – Pier Carthew. Styling – Jess Kneebone

The metal guttering, flashings and cappings were replaced with updated versions in a deep red hue. Photo – Pier Carthew. Styling – Jess Kneebone

Inoda + Sveje Bar Stool from Great Dane. Benchtop in Laminex Moroccan Clay. Photo – Pier Carthew. Styling – Jess Kneebone

A Humble Brick Home, Cleverly Reimagined

Instead of being knocked down, this post-war home on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula has been expertly reimagined as a nostalgic holiday house.

The strategic renovation by JAK Architecture enhanced the house’s humble facade with maroon-coloured guttering, new masonry, and a striped awning — revealing the untapped potential of these ordinary brick buildings.

Read the full story here.

Clique by WOWOWA. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling – Bea Lambos

The colourful renovation reflects the clients’ wish to avoid ‘anything too sterile’. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling – Bea Lambos

The 1940s clinker brick duplex has been extended outwards to maximise space. Photo – Martina Gemmola. Styling – Bea Lambos

A 1940s Brick Duplex Renovation Bursting With Bold Colours

Located in Melbourne, this 1940s brick duplex is ushered into a new era with WOWOWA’s signature flourish of radiant colour.

See how hues of rich purples, earthy reds, bright orange and dusty pink are expertly woven together to create a home that’s both bold and rejuvenating.

Read the full story here.

Eltham by Demardi Builders, interior designer Tiano Studio, and building designer Levan Design. Photo – Eve Wilson

The living room now provides space for lounging and watching television, and sitting in front of the fireplace. Photo – Eve Wilson

What’s Old Is New Again In This Revived 1970s Eltham Home

With its brick facade and exposed timber ceilings, this 1970s house is a familiar sight in Melbourne’s outer north-east.

After more than a decade in the home, the owners knew the interiors needed updating — but they were equally clear about what they wanted to preserve.

See inside the thoughtfully renovated Eltham home by Demardi Builders, interior designer Tiano Studio, and building designer Levan Design.

Read the full story here.

Yarraville by Agius Scorpo Architects. Photography – Tom Ross

Blue render was removed to reveal the original facade brickwork on this charming Yarraville home. Photography – Tom Ross

Turning Back Time In A Classic Melbourne Brick Home

This existing brick house in Yarraville, Melbourne was in decent condition — you just couldn’t tell under the layers of disjointed renovations.

The long-time owners engaged Agius Scorpo Architects to strip back the ‘incredibly congested and agitated arrangement of rooms’, creating a central communal area connecting to the west-facing backyard.

Just 22 square metres of mostly external space has been added to the family home, but the impact has been colossal.

Read the full story here.

Park Street by Michael Ong Design Office (MODO). Built by Seventy7 Projects. Landscape design by Straw Brothers. Styling – Natalie James

A Brick Veneer Home Transformed To Embrace The Outdoors

To say Michael Ong Design Office (MODO)’s renovations have changed this post-war brick veneer Brunswick West house would be an understatement.

The addition of a new living area and a sunken internal courtyard has brought new life, literally, into the Melbourne home, which pushes the family outdoors at every opportunity.

Read the full story here.

National Park Street by Curious Practice. Built by Made Homes. Heritage controls specified that the new works needed to remain concealed behind the existing 1930s dwelling. Photo – Sophie Tyler

The restrained interior palette is filled with warmth. Photo – Sophie Tyler

A Classic 1930s Brick Home Masterfully Reimagined

Rather than seeking to imitate or conceal, this striking extension of a 1930s Newcastle home offers a conversation between old and new.

Find out how owner-builder Guy Bunder (of Made Homes) and architects Curious Practice reimagined the original red-brick home within strict heritage confines to create something fit for family living in the 21st century.

Read the full story here.

Pipkorn Kilpatrick co-founder Jane Kilpatrick’s Northcote family home. Interior design by Pipkorn Kilpatrick. Architecture by Ancher Architecture Office. Built by Senmak Construction.

The living room addition ties in with the original facade, using exposed bricks with full-height blackbutt windows and doors.

The facade has been restored to highlight its original Victorian features.

An Interior Designer’s Heartwarming Family Home

Interior designer Jane Kilpatrick, co-founder of Pipkorn Kilpatrick, lives in this Northcote home with her husband and three sons.

When the family purchased the property in 2016, its original Victorian features were almost completely disguised by exterior metal columns, paired internally with a kaleidoscope of wallpapers, shag pile carpets, and closed-off living areas.

With the assistance of Ancher Architecture Office, Jane returned the original home to a calming palette and added an earthy, optimally oriented extension with outdoor space on three sides.

Read the full story here.

Sonelo Architects director Wilson Tang’s family home. The architect designed the extension to sit quietly behind the triple-fronted post-war facade. Built by Cale Peters Constructions. Landscape by Amanda Oliver. Photo – Pier Carthew

An engawa wraps around the house, internally and externally, to connect the home to the backyard. Photo – Pier Carthew

Stainless Unit Shelf by Muji. Flos 265 Wall Lamp from Euroluce. Phantom Sofa by Cameron Foggo for Nonn from District Furniture. Photo – Pier Carthew

An Architect’s Thoughtful Six-Year Family Home Reno

A six-year renovation, completed over four stages, has completely transformed the triple-fronted, post-war home of Wilson Tang, director of Sonelo Architects.

It’s now a serene sanctuary for connection and valued cultural rituals.

Read the full story here.

House Freddie by Studio Bright. The 1960s house’s low-slung form, scale, and street presence have all been maintained. Photo – Gavin Green

The view from the original structure down to the new addition.

Old brick masonry meets the new breezeblocks.

How A Breezeblock Tower Reimagined This Modest Mid-Century House

The humble character, scale, and charm of this suburban mid-century home in Melbourne’s south-east remain unchanged after an inspiring renovation.

Driven by the idea of ‘repair rather than replacement’, House Freddie by Studio Bright adapts a single-level brick house for modern family life, thanks to an innovative breeze block tower.

Read the full story here.