A House for Grandma
A House for Grandma is a compact secondary dwelling set within a leafy 968m² site on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Designed as part of a broader renovation, the project reconfigures an existing home to accommodate multigenerational living with flexibility and dignity.
This 60m² pavilion balances autonomy and connection. Its modest scale is offset by generous volumes and carefully curated sightlines that open to garden views while preserving privacy. Recycled brickwork, honed concrete, and a restrained material palette establish a calm and enduring atmosphere.
The architecture responds to evolving needs—supporting independent living, shared family moments, and long-term adaptability. It is both a retreat and an extension of the main house, linked by a shared entrance and unified landscape.
With attention to light, form, and landscape, A House for Grandma offers a model for thoughtful, future-focused infill housing—responsive to context, respectful of its inhabitants, and rich in spatial quality.
AWARDS
Inside Out x Brickworks House of the Year Awards 2023 - Category: Best use of materials: Brick
Grand Designs Australia House of the Year Awards 2024 - Category: Small Renovation
NOMINATIONS
NSW Architecture Awards 2023 - Shortlisted: Residential Architecture Alts and Adds Category
Houses Awards 2023 - Shortlisted: Houses Alterations and Addition under 200sqm
Grand Design Australia Magazine House of the Year Showcase Shortlist Nominee 2024
ARTICLES
The Sydney Morning Herald ‘The Boomers renovating their homes in ‘a kaleidoscope of colours’ - May 2023
Houses Magazine Issue 155 ‘A House for Grandma’ - December 2023
The Local Project ‘Emphasised Warmth’ - December 2023
The Design Files ‘An Unused Garage Turned Sophisticated Granny Flat’ - December 2023
Dwell ‘This Brick Backyard House Doubles as a Sunken Living Room for the Garden’ - January 2024
Tiny House Zone ‘A House for Grandma: A Thoughtful Approach to Multigenerational Living in Lindfield Australia’ - September 2024
Restless Living, Volume 220 ‘A House for Grandma’
IN OUR CLIENT’S WORDS
“Natalie Brcar of Brcar Morony Architecture provided us with exceptional professional service for our project from the design and documentation stages right through to construction and property handover (late 2022). Our project involved renovations to the existing house together with an extension to the rear of the property. Natalie’s consultative approach and attention to detail ensured the vision of our project is realised. The outcome of the build speaks for itself and the result is independently attested to by industry awards.”
Patricia.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Justin Alexander
CONSULTANTS
Structural Engineer: Cantilever
Landscape Architect: Even Spaces
Private Certifier: City Plan
BUILDER
Cubic Construction Management
Products used in A House for Grandma
Professionals used in A House for Grandma
More projects by Brcar Morony Architecture
About the
Professional
Welcome to Brcar Morony Architecture, where design meets dedication and innovation.
Founded by Natalie Brcar and now in its tenth year of operation, Brcar Morony Architecture (BMA) is a boutique architecture and interior design studio focused on crafting bespoke residential spaces. The practice has built a strong reputation through the delivery of award-winning residential projects, including apartment interior fitouts and low-density single and multi-dwelling housing for private clients.
In recent years, BMA has broadened its scope within the residential sector, taking on larger-scale projects such as preparation of feasibility studies and conceptual planning for residential apartment developments and masterplanning initiatives. BMA collaborates with private capital groups and community housing providers to deliver thoughtful, context-sensitive increases in housing density—particularly on sites supported by existing social and transport infrastructure. This work responds to Australia’s growing demand for diverse and sustainable housing solutions. Accommodation typologies include Build-to-Rent (BTR), Co-Living, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and Social and Affordable Housing.
BMA’s clients consistently value the studio’s integrity, collaborative ethos, and commercial insight. BMA is known for its pragmatic planning strategies, commitment to design excellence, and strong project delivery capability—qualities that underpin long-standing client relationships and successful project outcomes.
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