According to a recent report by the ABC, developments in the outer suburbs of big cities can get up to 10 degrees hotter than the city centre. This is due to overdevelopment and poor town planning, where every inch of usable land is occupied with a house, thereby leaving little room for either private or public open place.

From both a human and environmental perspective, we desperately need responsibly designed, accessible housing in new suburban developments. The LiveWorkShare House by Bligh Graham Architects is a prototype for sustainable, flexible housing in high-density blocks.

Located in Samford village just outside Brisbane, the project covers only 40% of its 612 sqm site. Formulated with the work-from-home model in mind, the architects emphasise smart design as a way to achieve the trifecta of functional diversity, density and green space at once.

Dunmore Farm is a beautifully restored circa 1870 homestead on a 150-acre former dairy farm in Molyullah (just under three hours north-east of Melbourne). 

Take a closer look at this gorgeous accommodation surrounded by fruit trees, rustic gardens, and charming nearby towns.

Even when you’re the editor of a real estate platform, it can be surprisingly difficult to find your perfect family home! 

Domain’s national managing editor and property expert Alice Stolz (you might recognise her from The Block!) experienced this unique conundrum when returning to Australia in 2016, following 12 years living overseas with her husband Adam Stolz and three children. A city-wide Melbourne search ensued, leading to this 1900s Canterbury home, oozing with character and potential. 

Alice and Adam worked with Doherty Design Studio to completely renovate the property within the existing footprint. The result is equal parts practical and playful, exuding a certain ‘je ne sais quoi!’

When architect Kyra Thomas (Kyra Thomas Architects) and her partner Julian Reznik were searching for their new home, they were looking for a challenge; something they could transform into a spacious family home, but that was a little different to the usual inner-city Sydney property.

They found exactly that in an old self-storage warehouse, which they’ve masterfully renovated into an elegant family home that seamlessly connects exterior courtyard spaces with an open-plan, light-filled interior.