Our client approached us with a clear brief: expand their existing home in the Northern Beaches LGA to meet the needs of a growing family. This meant adding more space, ensuring a stronger indoor-outdoor connection, and creating light-filled, welcoming interiors that would work beautifully for family life and entertaining.
The design included a second storey with three additional bedrooms and bathrooms, giving the family the needed space to grow. The rear of the home was extended and opened up to connect with a large new deck and backyard, creating a fluid transition between indoor living areas and outdoor entertaining spaces.
Attention to detail was central to the design. Recycled spotted gum flooring and carefully crafted timber detailing brought warmth and natural character to the home. Glass ceilings with timber diffusers above the kitchen allowed dappled sunlight to filter through, filling the heart of the home with natural light while softening its intensity.
The result is a home that balances functionality with beauty, meeting the needs of a modern family while honouring the craftsmanship and character of natural materials. The addition of the second storey created much-needed bedrooms and bathrooms, while the extended living areas now flow easily into outdoor spaces designed for entertaining and relaxation.
The thoughtful use of timber and recycled materials brings warmth and sustainability to the design, while architectural interventions, like the glazed ceilings, ensure that light floods deep into the home.
The combination of light and shadow, indoor and outdoor flow, and classic yet contemporary finishes has resulted in a home that feels both expansive and inviting.
This project highlights Playoust Churcher Architects’ ability to transform an existing home into a functional, light-filled sanctuary that embraces family life and creates enduring value for its owners.

Ku-ring-gai is one of Sydney’s most prestigious municipalities. Playoust Churcher Architects provide expert guidance to ensure you realise your property’s and project’s value.
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North Sydney’s Council regulations for residential renovations can be complex. Playoust Churcher Architects understands the nuances and offers expert and experienced advice.
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Lane Cove Council prioritises sustainability and bushland preservation, often requiring careful environmental considerations.
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Hunters Hill, one of Sydney’s oldest municipalities, has strict heritage conservation rules, making renovations in the area particularly intricate.
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While progressive in its approach to modern development, Willoughby Council enforces stringent height, bulk, and character controls to maintain the area’s aesthetic integrity.
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“We are so happy we used Playoust Churcher Architects for a major renovation of our Lower North Shore home. This complex architectural job combined advanced engineering, design and innovation and a creative approach to modern living. Playoust Churcher supported us from conception to completion – and well beyond.
They understood our lifestyle and desire for a collaborative approach and delivered us a dream home with which it would be hard to be happier. We’re delighted to recommend Playoust Churcher to anyone building or renovating a prestige home in Sydney.”
Justin & Marek
“We provided a very detailed brief on the design and the requirements both in terms of how it would support our family as it grew over time in addition to the design features that were important to us. We were thrilled with the concept and design they delivered. It ticked all the boxes.
We felt very confident the team understood our brief in terms of the design and how we hoped to live. They also showed an understanding of the financial requirements and cost issues that are really important whenever you undertake any renovation project.”
Nadia & Jamieson
“Playoust Churcher Architects had an inherent understanding of the brief, and the design created a classic Roseville family home with wonderful proportions, depth and detail.
It’s now recognised as a stand-out in the area – people slow down and stare as they drive past.”
Kate & Scott
“When Brett and John came they just listened. John is so talented that we just trust him. I told John what I wanted our home to look like and to go for it. John can draw the designs upside down all by hand and you know exactly what he is doing. He is really talented and that was very obvious from the beginning. He is so passionate about what he does.
They were respectful of costs and just listened to what we wanted. There is a lot to say for architects that listen. The house works perfectly with our needs – there is a flow that works beautifully.”
LisaThis project involved transforming an elevated, slope-facing property into a refined, airy family home. The design accentuated views to Middle Harbour, promoted generous cross-ventilation, and maintained privacy while enhancing indoor-outdoor connectivity.
Yes. Seaforth features a combination of sloping terrain, waterfront considerations, and planning overlays that govern height, setbacks, and views. Our team has extensive experience designing within these constraints to deliver beautifully resolved homes.
Absolutely. We collaborated closely with Northern Beaches Council to meet local rules on maximum building height, stormwater management, and view corridors, ensuring the home is both compliant and architecturally distinctive.
By using split-level planning, elevated terraces, and carefully sited windows, we maximised outlooks while preserving neighbor privacy. The layered design created spatial separation and seamless flow between living zones.
Yes. Whether you’re planning a renovation, new build, or multi-level design in Seaforth, Clontarf, or adjacent suburbs like Kurraba Point, we offer a full architectural service—from feasibility through to completion.
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We live and work on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We acknowledge their traditional custodianship of the land and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.