Paradise Renovation

The Brief

Paradise Renovation began with a question that many Tasmanian homeowners face: is it worth renovating, or should we start from scratch? The clients loved their home's location and the memories they'd made within its walls, but the building itself had fallen behind contemporary standards of comfort, energy efficiency, and liveability. After careful analysis with the design team at Align Architecture, the decision was made to keep the bones of the existing structure — its footprint, its orientation, its connection to the garden — while essentially rebuilding everything else.

This is the kind of project that tests a builder's skill more than a new build ever could. Working within the constraints of an existing structure means adapting to what you find behind the walls, under the floors, and above the ceilings. It means solving problems on the fly, finding creative solutions to unexpected challenges, and maintaining the integrity of the original design intent even when the reality of demolition reveals surprises. For Davies, it's a type of project they relish — one that demands both technical expertise and creative problem-solving.

Exterior Transformation

The building has been transformed with an updated envelope and facade, bringing it into the next generation of design and functionality. The original structure was stripped back to its frame, and a complete new building envelope was installed — including a vapour-permeable membrane that allows the walls to breathe while preventing moisture ingress, a critical consideration in Tasmania's damp climate.

New double-glazed windows replaced the original single-glazed units, dramatically improving both thermal performance and acoustic comfort. The exterior was re-clad in Colorbond cladding and roofing, providing a low-maintenance, weather-resistant skin that will protect the home for decades to come. At the entry, a new brick and timber seat serves as both a beautiful design feature and a practical place to sit while removing boots — the kind of thoughtful, dual-purpose detail that elevates a good renovation into a great one.

The transformation is remarkable. Standing in the street, you'd never guess this was a renovation — the home presents as a confident, contemporary dwelling that looks entirely purposeful and new. Yet behind the fresh facade, the original structure provides a solid, proven foundation that required no new footings, no new slab, and a fraction of the embodied energy of a complete demolish-and-rebuild.

Interior Reimagined

The home's footprint remained the same, but a thoughtful internal reconfiguration dramatically improved the layout and flow. The most significant change was combining the previously separated living areas into one large, open-plan space that floods with natural light from the new windows and skylights. This single move transformed the home from a collection of dark, disconnected rooms into a bright, welcoming space that feels twice its actual size.

A slight plan reconfiguration added an ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom — a feature the original home lacked — and reimagined the kitchen as the true heart of the home. The existing wood heater was retained and re-installed on a purpose-built concrete hearth, providing both a visual anchor for the living space and an efficient source of supplementary heating on the coldest winter evenings.

The kitchen is the standout space. An oversized concrete island bench dominates the room, its raw, industrial surface providing a beautiful contrast to the warm timber cabinetry surrounding it. A skylight positioned directly above the island floods the workspace with natural light, creating a cooking environment that's both practical and inspiring. Another skylight draws light into the newly created ensuite, ensuring that even the most utilitarian spaces in the home feel bright and connected to the outside.