This New Home Celebrates Canberra + Craftsmanship
Architecture
A long, pitched roof became the defining gesture of this new build, creating a loft‑like silhouette that keeps the upper level visually modest.
Metal continues as a theme via the steel pergola that runs over the external entry walkway.
The roof and upper-level facade is prominent from all vantage points, hence a standing seam metal cladding was used to form the unified, seamless envelope.
‘The white metal finish creates a purposeful crisp contrast to the brickwork below, establishing a hierarchy of materials,’ says the architect Jessica de Rome.
The project focused on practical elements, paired with a reverence for the home’s location facing Anzac Parade.
Internally, the floor plan is shaped around purposeful vistas.
A curved brick structure surrounds the stairs.
The curved brick stair against the sharp angle of the timber-clad raked ceiling reveals a joyful play in geometry, and the client’s favourite element of the home.
The clean and crisp kitchen.
The high ceiling of the living rooms with its symmetrical double-height internal space is a highlight of the project.
The curved brick staircase anchors the double‑height space and showcases the craftsmanship of the building team.
The curved brick stair, the long internal void, and the cantilevered metal pergola all required careful structural coordination and skilful execution by the building team.
Orange-toned bricks ground the base of the house while referencing the warm tones of Anzac Parade’s gravel.
Speckled tiles bring subtle texture into the bathroom.
Glossy tiles help reflect light.
Three bedrooms are located on the upper floor, and two below.
The house is shaped around family life, outdoor play, and supporting changing family dynamics over time.
After residing in an apartment with their two young children, the owners of this Canberra home were excited to build a house for their next stage of life.
They bought a generous Campbell property – drawn to its quiet residential character, large backyard, and rare outlook to the nationally significant Anzac Parade – with plans to create their long-term home shaped around family life, outdoor play, and supporting changing family dynamics over time.
Updating the existing 1960s home on site was originally explored, but the house couldn’t be meaningfully restored due to previous poor renovations.
Although a knockdown‑rebuild wasn’t part of the original brief, it became the approach that best unlocked the site’s potential, says Jessica de Rome, architect at de Rome Architects. ‘It allowed the ground floor to be freed up for north-facing living spaces and ample garden, via lifting the bedroom wing to a modest loft-style upper level,’ she adds.
The brief focused on practical desires (at least four bedrooms, a flexible layout, outdoor connections, healthy materials), paired with a reverence for the home’s location facing Anzac Parade.
Jessica explains, ‘The site’s civic context was a major influence. The house enjoys a rare view to Anzac Parade and sits directly behind the Parade’s sculpture memorials, hence the architecture needed to be sympathetic to the streetscape. Achieving a reasonably modest site coverage was important in reducing the bulk and scale of the new home.’
A long, pitched roof became the defining gesture, creating a loft‑like silhouette that keeps the upper level visually modest, allowing the bedrooms to tuck into the roof form.
‘The roof and upper-level facade is prominent from all vantage points, hence a standing seam metal cladding was used to form the unified, seamless envelope. The white metal finish creates a purposeful crisp contrast to the brickwork below, establishing a hierarchy of materials,’ says Jessica. ‘The elegant lines of the standing seam discover a gentle texture and repetition, throwing soft shadows against the surface.’
Internally, the floor plan is shaped around purposeful vistas: an entry axis that draws the eye through to the garden, and a rear hallway that captures glimpses back to Anzac Parade – subtly connecting the home to its setting.
All living spaces and bedrooms face north, with shading modelled to balance winter solar gain and summer solar protection.
Orange-toned bricks ground the base of the house while referencing the warm tones of Anzac Parade’s gravel. Brick continues inside, most notably on the statement curved stair complemented by timber floors, and joinery.
The timber-clad raked living room ceiling, with its symmetrical double-height internal form, is a highlight of the project, which showcases the craftsmanship of the building team at Vale Projects.
The curved brick stair against the sharp angle of the timber-clad raked ceiling reveals a joyful play in geometry, and the client’s favourite element of the home. They say, ‘The standout feature for us is the circular brick staircase, which feels like a piece of art in the heart of the home, making everyday movement feel special.’