A post-war home rethought from the ground up and beyond.
Tucked into a steeply sloping Brunswick West street, Park Street House had good bones, generous rooms and a north-facing rear but a fragmented layout and a poorly considered 1970s extension was holding it back. The renovation by @modo_arch redesigns the plan entirely, restoring connection to the garden and capping it all with a new studio loft above. A home that finally lives up to its potential.
🏡 You can view Park Street House and more projects by MODO via their studio member page on CO-architecture → link in bio.
💭 Have a home in need of a full renovation? Start your journey with CO-architecture — where Australia’s leading architects and designers help you bring your vision to life.
Architecture: MODO
Builder: @seventy7projects
Landscape Design: @strawbrothers
Engineering: @r.i.brown
Styling: @natjstyling
Where family moments unfold.
This new residence by @modo_arch expands over two and a half levels, anchored by robust brick wings that frame a private, sun‑filled courtyard at its heart. A sweeping curved corridor connects the ground floor spaces, creating a soft rhythm between inside and out. Above, a contrasting timber-clad volume frames views toward the surrounding landscape, wrapping around a feature maple tree and drawing natural light deep into the home.
🏡 You can view Brimar House and more projects by MODO via their studio member page on CO-architecture → link in bio.
💭 Thinking of building your dream brick forever home? Start your journey with CO-architecture—where Australia’s leading architects and designers help you bring your dream home to life.
Architecture & Interiors: MODO
Builder: @visioneerbuilders
Engineer: @r.i.brown
Styling: @jesskneebone
Landscape Design: @bushprojects
Landscape: @lucidalandscapes
Our Mt Waverley project is ready for photos. The Miscanthus is at peak fluffiness and the pink mudstone steps are well trod. Another collaboration with @modo_arch we can’t wait to reveal.
BOULEVARD HOUSE by @modo_arch • inspired by its setting, Boulevard House is designed to open outward • connecting everyday living with the surrounding landscape.
Through careful framing, contrast and subtle movement, the home creates a strong sense of immersion with its context.
The extension and renovation rework the existing house to better engage with the site, turning it into a more open, connected and responsive place to live.
Architecture: @modo_arch
Photographer: derek_swalwell
Build: @dimpat__
BULLEEN HOUSE by @modo_arch · set on a lush sloping site in Bulleen, this 400sqm home was designed to feel open, light-filled and deeply connected to the garden.
The house stretches along the southern boundary before wrapping around the site, turning the focus inward and capturing the best northern light.
This move allows the home to take full advantage of passive solar design while creating a calm and protected living environment.
Inside, brick walls and polished concrete add thermal mass to keep the home comfortable year round.
From the street the house appears narrow and restrained, while external blinds protect the interiors from the harsh western sun.
Architecture: @modo_arch
Photography: @benhoskingphotographer
Build: @seventy7projects
Furniture & Styling: @nina_provan
Visiting a house we completed 1.5 years ago, great to see the landscape settling in and flourishing (as always beautifully designed by @strawbrothers ). A central north facing courtyard is the focus of the home, and I just love how this house feels. Contextually the roof form and scale relates wonderfully to its suburban context and street. Looking forward to getting this house photographed.
A home that opens up to light, landscape and family life.
This new residence by @modo_arch unfolds over two and a half levels, anchored by robust brick wings that frame a private, sun‑filled courtyard at its heart. A sweeping curved corridor connects the ground floor spaces, creating a soft rhythm between inside and out. Perched above, a darkened timber volume wraps around a central maple tree, drawing the eye outward to the neighbouring golf course and bringing light deep into the plan.
We have wrapped up the most popular new house builds on CO-architecture in 2025. Head to the post link in our bio to view Brimar House and others that made the list.
Architecture & Interiors: MODO
Builder: @visioneerbuilders
Engineer: @r.i.brown
Styling: @jesskneebone
Landscape Design: @bushprojects
Landscape: @lucidalandscapes
Inspired by its location, The Boulevard House opens itself to the surrounding landscape through an outward-looking approach that blurs the line between interior and nature. @modo_arch integrates framed views, rich contrasts, and subtle moving elements to create a thoughtful immersion within the site. By unlocking the potential of the block, the extension and renovation invite the home to meaningfully engage with its context, turning everyday living into a grounded, connected experience.
💭 Thinking of building your dream home?
Start your journey with CO-architecture — where Australia’s leading architects and designers help bring your vision to life.
🏡 Explore more homes like this & connect with a designer who fits your style → link in bio.
Architecture & Interiors: MODO
Builder: @dimpat__
SAGAR HOUSE by @modo_arch • a thoughtful extension and renovation of a mid-century gem from 1958.
The new addition feels fresh yet familiar, carefully echoing the scale, character and spirit of the original home.
A revived central courtyard becomes the heart of the house, complete with a sunken conversation pit, outdoor dining and a beautiful jacaranda tree.
By honouring the ideas of the original design, the extension feels natural and effortless • a modern chapter that stays true to the home’s mid-century soul.
Architecture: @modo_arch
Builder: Dome Building
A home that opens up to light, landscape and family life.
This new residence by @modo_arch unfolds over two and a half levels, anchored by robust brick wings that frame a private, sun‑filled courtyard at its heart. A sweeping curved corridor connects the ground floor spaces, creating a soft rhythm between inside and out. Perched above, a darkened timber volume wraps around a central maple tree, drawing the eye outward to the neighbouring golf course and bringing light deep into the plan.
💭 Thinking of building your forever home?
Start your journey with CO‑architecture — where Australia’s leading architects and designers help bring your vision to life.
🏡 Explore more homes like this & connect with a designer who fits your style → link in bio.
Architecture & Interiors: MODO
Photographer: @derek_swalwell
Builder: @visioneerbuilders
Engineer: @r.i.brown
Styling: @jesskneebone
Landscape Design: @bushprojects
Landscape: @lucidalandscapes
✨ Honoured to share that Park St House has been shortlisted for this year’s Dezeen Awards! From over 4300 entries from 89 countries, our project is now 1 of 5 houses up for an award at this year @dezeen awards in the house (extension) category.
A huge thank you to our incredible team, collaborators, and clients who made this project possible.
Grateful to be recognised alongside so many inspiring works.
#DezeenAwards #Architecture #Design #ParkStHouse #Shortlisted
With its cabin-like appearance, Park Street House looks like it should be nestled deep in a forest.
Instead, this converted single-level postwar brick house sits in a small bucolic garden in the inner-city suburb of Brunswick West.
“The owners are adventurers and have stayed in cabins, so they wanted a similar atmosphere that pushed them out into the garden, allowing them to feel as though they are living outdoors,” says architect Michael Ong.
Ong restored the house with its 1970s lean-to, cleverly redesigning its existing spaces to maximise light and adding a simple second storey accessed via an external staircase.
“What I love about this project is how it led us to wonder whether we can gain more in this existing house by removing parts of it, as opposed to adding to it,” Ong says.
“Quite often, homes are bought and completely demolished, and it’s a bit of a shame really, because there are plenty of opportunities to create something quite unique and special.”
Hit the 🔗 in our bio to read more about this unique property.
