Sanctuary 67 out now: Small projects special

Sanctuary 67 is our small projects special: celebrating smaller footprint new builds, clever urban infill, modest-scope renovations and more.

For many proponents of sustainable homes – architects, builders and homeowners alike, and of course the team here at Sanctuary – ‘build less house’ is something of a mantra. Smaller homes mean less building material, less volume to heat and cool, and more space left on the block for garden or for smart urban infill that reduces urban sprawl.

Smaller need not mean cramped and uncomfortable, though: quite the contrary with excellent, imaginative design. In this issue we celebrate compact new builds, clever infill projects, modest-scope renovations and more. In our feature article our favourite experts share their top design tips on how to achieve a great, comfortable home without going large. And we visit small projects around the country, including a historic old stables building in Fremantle that was saved and converted into a cosy 9.2-Star two-bedroom home for just $250,000. A 35-square-metre Brisbane apartment gets a mini makeover for a greater sense of spaciousness and light. Compact backyard builds in Melbourne and Hobart offer housing flexibility, and a targeted renovation in regional New South Wales saw one huge, dated bathroom turned into a neat new bathroom and an ensuite in the same footprint. There’s also a simple garden pavilion designed for life outdoors in a subtropical climate, and a years-long gradual reno project in Central Victoria that saw a leaky brick cottage transformed into a delightful exemplar of comfortable, efficient, low-bills living.

Take a look inside Sanctuary 67

Also in this issue: Elsewhere, we take a look at the why, how and where of building a secondary dwelling, and how the regulations differ around the country. In On the drawing board, architect Steele Olney shares the story of developing his tiny yet functional prefabricated backyard studio. In the first of a four-part series, Fiona Gray introduces the key elements of biophilic design, and we have a chat with Renew’s new CEO, Helen Oakey. Expert gardener Mara Ripani sings the praises of good old-fashioned flowers and offers advice on how to grow them, preserve them and use them – plus much more.

Sanctuary 67 is on its way to subscribers and on sale in newsagents now. If you haven’t already, subscribe to get every issue delivered. 

We welcome your feedback. Perhaps there’s something else you would you like to see in Sanctuary? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram, or by email.