Willetton Residence
High-Performance Retrofit ● Residential Design
Designed by Matt Burleigh ● Design Development Phase
The Willetton Residence is a high-performance retrofit in design development by Cynosure Architecture. Positioned on the front lot of the Hilltop Residence’s rear battleaxe site, the project transforms an existing double brick home into a contemporary family residence inspired by Passive House principles—balancing thermal performance, strong forms, and a more refined, luxurious interior palette.
Situated on the street-facing lot in Willetton, this retrofit project builds on the legacy of the adjacent Hilltop Residence—designed as the final, long-term home for the same growing family. Currently in design development, the Willetton Residence reimagines a two-storey double brick home as a high-performance retrofit inspired by Passive House principles. The design retains and repurposes the original structure, enhancing thermal performance through high-performance windows, external insulation, and new Colorbond cladding. Striking, modern Australian forms guide the extension, while a more refined interior palette introduces a layer of comfort and luxury—creating a home that feels both future-focused and deeply familiar.
Timber detailing will bring warmth and cohesion to the renewed interiors, offering a tactile counterpoint to the sleek stone surfaces, soft-textured finishes, and clean lines of this high-performance retrofit inspired by Passive House principles.
Beyond its performance goals, the Willetton Residence is a study in balance—between retention and renewal, raw materiality and refined comfort, efficiency and expression. As a high-performance retrofit inspired by Passive House principles, the design embraces the bones of the original structure while elevating it for modern family living. Every detail is considered to support the evolving needs of a large household, with a focus on durability, flow, and quiet luxury. Construction is expected to commence in early 2026.
Currently in design development by Cynosure Architecture.