Shutters, Courtyards, And A Floating Form Define This Home

A modern home designed to engage with its surroundings, blending a floating form with open, welcoming outdoor spaces that extend toward the street.

Designed by FIGR. Architecture & Design, this Australian home takes a different approach to suburban living. Instead of turning inward, it opens itself up, creating opportunities for interaction that extend beyond the site itself.

The architects set out to create a modest family home that respects its heritage surroundings while offering something new. The result is a house that invites neighbors and visitors into its orbit, using outdoor spaces and layered thresholds to encourage connection without sacrificing privacy.

Shutters That Shape Light, Privacy, And Views

One of the most defining elements of the home is its custom-fabricated shutters. Positioned on the first floor above the carport, these mechanically operated panels are finished in white to seamlessly match the exterior.

They do more than just blend in. The shutters allow the homeowners to control sunlight, airflow, and visibility, adjusting throughout the day. From the street, they add movement and variation to the façade, while inside, they become part of the living experience.

Custom operable shutters add flexibility to this home’s façade, allowing light, privacy, and views to shift throughout the day while blending seamlessly into the exterior.

A Bedroom That Filters Light And Privacy

Inside, the shutters take on a softer role. In the bedroom, they create a balance between openness and seclusion.

When closed, they offer privacy without completely shutting out daylight. When opened, they allow light to filter through, shifting the atmosphere of the space and reinforcing the home’s connection to its surroundings.

Bedroom design with integrated shutters that filter natural light while maintaining privacy, creating a calm and adaptable space.

A Continuous Exterior Language

The shutters align with the home’s exterior siding, creating a cohesive look that wraps around the building. This continuity carries through to the rear, where the materials extend toward a partially shaded brick patio.

This consistency helps tie together different parts of the house, making transitions between spaces feel intentional and connected.

Consistent exterior materials wrap around the home, leading to a shaded brick patio that feels like a natural extension of the architecture.

A Patio That Extends The Living Space

At the back of the home, sliding glass doors open the living room directly onto the patio, creating a fluid indoor and outdoor experience.

A wood ceiling stretches across both areas, visually linking them and adding warmth. The result is a space that feels larger than its footprint, where daily activities can easily spill outside.

Sliding glass doors and a continuous wood ceiling connect indoor and outdoor living, creating a seamless flow between spaces.

A Kitchen Anchored By Color And Texture

The kitchen introduces a richer palette, with deep green cabinetry paired alongside light wood finishes and gray countertops.

At the center, the island becomes a social hub, offering seating and a place to gather. It anchors the space while still allowing movement and connection to adjacent areas.

Deep green kitchen cabinets paired with wood and stone textures create a warm, modern space centered around a functional island.

Small Spaces That Do More

Between the interior and the carport, a compact courtyard brings in light and air. Brick surfaces frame small pockets of greenery, softening the transition and adding texture.

Above, a netted area creates an unexpected zone for relaxation. Suspended in the open space, it turns what could have been unused volume into a place to pause, stretch out, or simply enjoy the sun.

Undercroft and transitional areas are designed for multiple uses, from carport to gathering space, adding long-term flexibility to the home.

Flexible Spaces That Adapt Over Time

This idea of making the most of every space runs throughout the home. The undercroft doubles as a carport, workshop extension, and informal gathering area. Transitional zones are treated as active parts of the house, not leftover space.

Combined with garden areas at both the front and rear, the design increases permeability across the site, allowing movement, light, and activity to flow freely.

A compact courtyard with brick and greenery connects to a playful netted space above, turning unused areas into functional zones.

Built With Longevity And Performance In Mind

Beyond its spatial design, the home incorporates practical strategies for long-term performance. High-quality insulation, thermally broken double-glazed windows, and locally sourced materials contribute to its durability.

A Surfmist Colorbond roof helps reduce heat build-up, while its form allows for effective solar panel placement. Water from the roof is captured in a buried 5000-litre tank and reused for irrigation and toilets, supporting efficient resource use.

This home shows how much can be achieved when every part of a site is put to work. From the street-facing garden to the layered in-between spaces, each area plays a role in shaping how the home is used and experienced.

By combining adaptable features like operable shutters with flexible zones and strong indoor outdoor connections, FIGR. Architecture & Design has created a house that can shift with changing needs while staying connected to its surroundings.