Completed 2023
An extensive renovation of a modernist classic on the foreshore of Lake Wendouree in Ballarat. Working closely with the client and, building team, the project was designed and constructed to meet Passive House standards, ensuring maximum quality, comfort and energy efficiency.
Builder: Aphi Projects
Photography: Hilary Bradford
PRESS
Winner 2024 Master Builders Awards Victoria Western Region ‘Best Renovation’
Winner Aphi Projects 2024 MBV Regional Residential Builder of the Year for Lake Wendouree House
‘Every window in our house looks out on a different aspect of the lake or garden, creating a sense of peace and tranquility.’ - David & Shantini
Completed 2021
A coastal retreat overlooking the Marengo marine sanctuary and Great Ocean walking track.
The house is carefully positioned within the existing landscape, with living and sleeping areas elevated to capture stunning ocean views.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
PRESS
Featured on Archello
Featured in Grand Designs Australia Issue 13.1
‘Luke Stanley Architects reimagines the traditional coastal home using warm materials and textures that complement the landscape, anchoring the form in place and allowing the occupants to immerse themselves in the natural surrounds.’ - The Local Project
Construction 2023
A rammed earth villa in Southern NSW near the Murray River. One of two that will be built on the property.
More info coming soon.
In collaboration with Anthony Hunt Design.
Completed 2016
The Kimo Hut stands alone on a hill outside Gundagai in rural New South Wales. It is the latest addition to Kimo Estate, a second generation farm which has diversified to host weddings and provide accomodation showcasing the areas natural beauty. It is a place to switch off, quite literally, and forget about the distractions of modern life.
Sustainable Australian hardwoods were the obvious choice given the huts ‘eco’ brief and remote location. Materials needed to be easily sourced and handled on site by a two person owner-builder team.
The huts form was inspired by a classic ‘A’ frame tent, which simultaneously provides both refuge from, and connection with, the natural environment. An expressed hardwood structure anchors the building, defining the interior spaces and framing views of the surrounding farmlands. Timber features throughout the hut, with hand crafted details recalling the character of agricultural buildings found on the property.
“It feels good to be unreachable, if only for a little while. And there’s nowhere better to drop off the radar for a while, than JR’s Hut.” Sally Tabart - The Design Files
In collaboration with Anthony Hunt Design.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
AWARDS
Nominated for Archdaily Building of the Year Award 2019
Finalist Timber Design Awards 2017 - Sustainability Category
Finalist Timber Design Awards 2017 - Small Projects Category
Finalist Timber Design Awards 2017 - Stand Alone Structure Category
PRESS
The Age Traveller Fifteen of Australia’s best places to stay in the wild
Archdaily Top 100 Projects 2021
Featured on The Local Project
Featured on Archello
Inheritage Magazine, Taiwan
Green Magazine Issue 58
'Dream Destination' in The Good Weekend Magazine
Australian Traveller Magazine Issue 75
Featured on the Built Environment Channel network
Country Style Magazine Sept 2017
Country Style Magazine July 2017
‘Anthony & Luke have created an amazing project that leaves our customers with a sense of place in the environment. We expect the hut to stand the test of time and have been overwhelmed with the response.’ - David & Emelia Ferguson, Kimo Estate
Video By David Ferguson of Kimo Estate
Completed 2018
Luke Stanley Architects was engaged to renovate this heritage fronted home in central Ballarat. Prompted by a busy family life, the brief was to create a master suite extension and second lounge area that would allow for retreat from the activity of the main house.
The kitchen was reconfigured to overlook a side courtyard where a new ‘back door’ entry was inserted for locals to drop by. The existing living area was redesigned around a new open wood fireplace with sliding doors connecting to the beautiful established garden.
A palette of natural materials including stone, raw concrete, dark cedar and black steel was chosen to reinforce the lush green landscape.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
PRESS
Featured on The Local Project
‘In the end, Luke turned our old Victorian weatherboard with its unpretentious façade, into a spectacular family home filled with light and space, and a luxury interior. We couldn’t be happier with the process and result.’ - Andrew & Eliza
Completed 2019
Fergo’s & Sweeney’s Huts are the latest to be completed as part of the Kimo Estate project. It is located in the south west corner of the estate with expansive river views and a dramatic hillside fire pit.
In collaboration with Anthony Hunt Design.
Photography: David Ferguson & Matt Beaver
PRESS
Featured in Dwell Magazine Travel Edition 2022
Featured on the cover of Singapore Airlines in flight magazine SilverKris April Edition
Featured on the cover of Country Style Magazine ‘Dream Stays’ Edition
Completed 2018
Providing a retreat for a young family, the Kirks Road House takes full advantage of its private rural location. The plan has two distinct wings wrapped around a central outdoor area, an important space for regular family gatherings. Expansive windows draw the local environment inside and frame dramatic views to Mount Buningyong.
Photography: Tom Ross & Bowie Wallace
Construction 2024
A compact off grid weekender spanning a gully overlooking the Vaughan Mineral Springs.
More information coming soon.
Design Completed 2023
A split level design for a family home on acreage just outside Ballarat.
Completed 2022
A contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional verandah style farmhouse with views to Mount Buninyong.
More information and photography coming soon.
Builder: Chris Mann Building
Completed 2017
A compact two bedroom guest pod that completes a triptych of buildings at The Plinth House property in Langdons Hill.
Photography: Luke Ray
Completed 2014
Sitting neatly against the backdrop of the original house, this simple extension takes advantage of its picturesque location. A series of new timber blades contain a north facing extension, with a feature window that frames a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. A new pergola structure provides relief from the harsh summer sun and completes the external transformation.
Believing that bigger is not always better, the extension was designed as just enough for a comfortable living space and new kitchen with island bench. The living area was reorientated towards the north facing feature window and timber blades. These blades were continued inside to create niches for bookshelves and firewood storage. The fireplace was then relocated to a new concrete hearth, reminiscent of the in-situ concrete plinth that surrounds the house.
Overall, a sympathetic palette of materials was selected to enhance and maintain the character of this rural home. Any new works (including a shed and carport) were clad in a lighter timber to clearly identify the evolution of the property.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
AWARDS
Winner of Australian House & Garden Award 'Best Indoor-Outdoor Connection' 2015.
PRESS
Featured in the 2015 Summer Edition of Ballarat Lifestyle Magazine.
Featured on Archdaily.
‘Every aspect of Luke's work, including project managing a local builder, has enriched our enjoyment of the little "Plinth House". Most importantly he met, then exceeded our expectations and was a pleasure to work with.’ - Peter & Alison
Completed 2016
Banksia House is a contemporary extension to an existing single storey weatherboard house in Eaglemont. The two storey addition was designed to maximise access to natural light and reorientate living areas towards the yard.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
AWARDS
Finalist Timber Design Awards 2017 - Residential Class 1 Alterations & Additions Category.
Finalist Timber Design Awards 2017 - Rising Star Category.
PRESS
‘Overall, we could not have asked for a better experience or outcome, and we will definitely be engaging Luke in any future projects.’ - Tom & Naomi
Completed 2014
A double storey renovation and extension to a classic weatherboard house in Northcote.
The extension consists of two interlocking forms, creating a series of visually connected yet clearly defined interior spaces. High level windows bring winter sun deep in to the heart of the home, whilst retractable sunshades offer protection from the west facing garden in summer.
Timber cladding and recycled bricks were selected to add warmth and character to the interiors, and continuity both inside and out. A series of brick blades anchor the extension within the site, whilst the first floor extension wraps over the original house to address the street and frame distant views.
Photography: Hilary Bradford
PRESS
Featured in Grand Designs Australia Magazine Oct 2017 Issue 6.5.
‘We are delighted with the end result and would have been lost without Luke to guide us through the complex process. His professionalism was exceptional and attention to detail impressive. Importantly, Luke and our builder got on very well ensuring a smooth construction process.’ - Andrew & Toni
Completed 2010
Perched high on a sloping site, the existing home in this project is a red brick post-war gem, a perfect example of how most dwellings of the era paid little heed to the opportunities their topography presented. At the rear the new addition makes a strong connection to the fall of the site, pushing out a sleek black, timber clad mass, westward up the slope to echo the original gradients. The change in level is navigated in two neat platforms that define their public and private function, while the roofline sails over in a strong singular pitch, unifying the areas underneath.
A series of precisely cast in-situ concrete blades contrast with the black shell and frame openings to the north of the new addition. These create deep reveals that provide an element of shading and visual privacy to the bedroom at the western extremity. This new bedroom opens both north and west to the upper lawn area of the split levels, whilst the lower living area opens directly to a generous timber deck making the most of its northern orientation.
By allowing the extension to engage with the site, the house feels anchored and solid, reversing the notion of the addition being the lightweight sibling to the house proper.
In collaboration with Cameron Fry Architect
Photography: Sonia Mangiapane
PRESS
FEatured in Home Renovation Magazine Vol 10 No 2.
‘From the outset Luke understood our brief, respecting and working within our budget. The end result greatly enhanced the way in which we experienced our home and reinforced the positive influence and added value, working with the right architect can make.’ - Etoile
