Tour of Old Dog New Tricks

Old Dog New Tricks House demonstrates how thoughtful design can do a lot with a little.

This project began when a young couple purchased a 1980s project home — the "old dog" — and approached the design team with an ambitious brief: to comprehensively renovate the property and make it uniquely their own — the “new tricks.”

The design team was presented with a series of challenges, including a typical brick veneer home with poor thermal performance, poor orientation, low ceilings, and the added difficulty of a corner block requiring 6-metre setbacks on two sides. The renovation needed to suit the evolving needs of a young family, with spaces that are robust, adaptable, and relaxed.

Located in South East Queensland, the house benefits from a subtropical climate, and the landscaping plays an integral role in the design strategy — offering privacy, visual appeal, and a microclimate that enhances the comfort of the home.

As younger generations enter the Australian housing market, many are faced with tight budgets and ageing housing stock. Projects like this demonstrate how good design can transform limitations into opportunities, delivering beautiful and functional homes for modern living.