Sometimes the most powerful architectural interventions are the quietest ones.

In Barwon Heads, where salt air and coastal winds have a way of revealing a building’s true character, JAK Architecture has crafted something beautiful from what was once tired and weathered.

The house that caught this young family’s eye was structurally sound, but had suffered through decades of unsympathetic alterations; it had a dark grey-blue rendered exterior, moss-covered green roof tiles, and a confusing interior layout.

Their brief to JAK Architecture was succinct: create additional space on a $600,000 construction budget, keep it child-friendly and low-maintenance, and above all, make it work for their busy, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.

What JAK Architecture delivered over the course of two years was filled with restraint and intention. The design centred on tucking new additions beneath the existing eaves, allowing both old and new to sit together.

The coastal location demanded careful material selection. Salt air is unforgiving, so the team chose simple, raw, and durable finishes that would age gracefully rather than fight against the elements.

‘We really love how simple the project is, in both form and materiality,’ says architect Mike Parlapiano. ‘Using raw materials and the simple gesture of placing the new under the old allows both layers to sit cohesively in place.’

When the existing roof tiles needed replacing during construction, the team seized the opportunity to introduce corrugated Zincalume roofing – a pragmatic decision that reinforced the area’s coastal character while complementing their updated palette.

Structurally, the transformation was significant yet subtle. Load-bearing walls were selectively removed to create generous, light-filled living spaces, with new columns and beams carefully integrated to support the retained roof structure.

Whilst the team’s favourite element of the project is the sunroom – a space designed to adapt and grow with the children, and where morning light filters through the site’s preserved birch trees — the true standout is a bit deeper.

‘At JAK, our team is relatively young and closely aligned in age, outlook, and interests,’ explains Mike. ‘So it was especially rewarding to work with clients who were at a similar stage of life. From the outset the project felt highly collaborative, grounded in shared values around family, lifestyle, and the way a home should support everyday living.’