Jervois Project
- Space: Full Home
The Jervois Residence is a complete internal renovation of an original double brick home located in Deakin, one of Canberra’s oldest and most established suburbs. Designed and delivered as a full design and build project, this renovation reimagines the existing footprint to support contemporary living, long-term comfort and future-proof functionality.
Our clients, a semi-retired couple, engaged our Canberra-based design and renovation team to transform their dated four-bedroom home into a highly functional, three-bedroom residence tailored for retirement living, entertaining and long-term use.
Key priorities for the Deakin renovation included creating a large open plan kitchen suitable for multiple users, improving the internal layout and overall flow of the home, delivering a generous master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, incorporating a main bathroom with a bath, and future-proofing the home to meet liveable housing standards.
Long-term usability was central to the brief, with a strong focus on minimal level transitions, adaptable bathroom design and integrated structural allowances for future needs.
This full home renovation involved a complete internal reconfiguration. The original four-bedroom layout was redesigned into three bedrooms, allowing space for a significantly larger master suite and improved living zones.
The kitchen was relocated into the home’s former secondary living area, creating a spacious open plan kitchen, dining and living area that now forms the heart of the home. A butler’s pantry and integrated laundry were also introduced, improving functionality and storage.
One of the defining architectural features of the renovation is the use of curved walls, ceilings and joinery. These elements were essential in resolving awkward angles created by a 1970s extension that had been constructed on a different orientation to the original double brick house.
Natural light was maximised throughout the renovation through the introduction of new skylights, raised ceiling heights in key circulation areas, and the addition of a sidelight to the front entry.
Lighting design was layered to suit both daily living and entertaining, combining task lighting with feature and ambient lighting to enhance mood and architectural form.
Material and finish selection was guided by the kitchen splashback stone, which set the tone for the home’s palette. Once selected, all other materials were carefully curated to complement and enhance this feature.
Key materials and finishes include Faucet Strommen Armada Bronze tapware, custom joinery in contrasting finishes such as dark 2pac in Hardened Steel paired with timber veneers, and feature tiles from Black Rock Tiles used throughout wet areas for continuity. Performance-driven selections such as under-tile heating, double glazed windows with upgraded insulation, and honeycomb blinds were incorporated to enhance comfort and energy efficiency year-round.
The powder room is a highlight, featuring half-height tiling finished flush with the plasterboard to achieve a clean, refined junction. A recessed storage cabinet above the tiled wall provides additional functionality without visual clutter.
Custom joinery features in every room, including a bespoke bedhead with integrated storage and tailored cabinetry designed to accommodate the irregular geometry typical of older Canberra homes.
As with many older double brick homes in Canberra, significant structural upgrades were required. As demolition progressed, additional walls were removed to achieve the desired layout, requiring careful re-engineering and coordination with structural engineers.
A key construction challenge involved installing a large steel beam to support a previously unsupported roof structure above the kitchen. Further structural works were also required in the ensuite once existing conditions were uncovered.
The renovation included comprehensive performance upgrades, replacing the original evaporative cooling and gas heating with a new reverse cycle system to improve comfort and energy efficiency year-round.
The completed Jervois Residence is a contemporary family home that balances refined design with everyday practicality. The renovation enhances natural light, thermal performance and spatial flow, while retaining the solid foundation of the original double brick structure.
This Deakin renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design and construction can extend the life of existing housing stock in Canberra, delivering a home that supports long-term living, entertaining and evolving family needs.
We often joke that the house is loved more than either of us, which probably says everything. The transformation has exceeded our expectations and we genuinely love living in the space every day.
The bathrooms feature a cohesive palette of tiles across the main bathroom, ensuite and powder room, creating continuity throughout the home. In the powder room, half-height tiling is finished flush with the plasterboard for a clean, refined junction, while a recessed cabinet provides discreet storage. Integrated bench seating in both bathrooms supports long-term comfort and future-proof living.
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