About

Polo House.

ArchiPro Project Summary - Transforming a 1960s red brick bungalow into a sustainable holiday home in Strath Creek, featuring a vaulted ceiling, energy-efficient design, and seamless integration with the natural landscape.

Title:: Polo House
Architect:: Borland Architecture
Category:: Residential/; Renovations and Extensions
Completed:: 2022
Price range:: $1m - $2m
Building style:: Passive
Photographers:: Porter Digital Pty Ltd

From a 1960s red brick bungalow to a tranquil holiday home that perfectly suits its surroundings, this property has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Strath Creek, a red brick bungalow from the 1960s stood out as an unexpected and incongruous sight. With a layout more suited to suburban living, the value of retaining the existing structure appeared limited at first glance. However, the challenge of recycling and transforming the bungalow into a modern, sustainable, and leasable holiday home proved to be a fulfilling undertaking.

We faced the task of redesigning the bungalow to fit seamlessly into the surrounding environment. The result was a new and expanded design, featuring a vaulted ceiling over the living zone that captures the stunning views. The remaining spaces were reorganised within the original walls for functionality and comfort.

To enhance the livability of the space, we replaced the original roof structure with a double-gable ended design, creating a verandah and entertaining deck with a pergola and retractable roof. The home is also designed to be super energy efficient, incorporating the principles of Passive House. The new building envelope features superior insulation, airtightness, high-performance windows, and a heat recovery ventilation system for optimal energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

The result is a beautiful and sustainable home that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, showcasing the potential of thoughtful architectural design to create a harmonious living environment.

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Professionals used in Polo House

Borland ArchitectureArchitects

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

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True quality is a promise you feel today and a legacy you live tomorrow

You’ve felt it in a room that never quite warms up or in restless nights wondering if the air you breathe is truly clean. At Borland Architecture we begin by uncovering what makes your family unique—your daily rituals, your fondest traditions and your hopes for years to come. We then craft a home that reflects your life now and grows with you, blending beauty with performance so you never have to choose between style and substance.

We select materials that absorb more carbon than they release, champion energy efficiency and design each home to operate net zero with a modest rooftop solar array. Passive solar orientation, biophilic principles and advanced ventilation ensure filtered fresh air, constant comfort and lower energy bills for your family’s health and wellbeing. This is architecture that heals the environment as it heals your everyday living.

Our process is both collaborative and effortless. Through guided workshops we learn your story, we model every detail behind the scenes and you stay involved only when you choose—so the journey feels inspiring, not overwhelming. We handle performance modelling, contractor coordination and quality assurance to deliver a truly bespoke home.

The result is a healthy self-sufficient home that invites biodiversity, delivers lasting comfort and stands as a living legacy for your family. It is where you rest, play, thrive and feel utterly at home for decades to come. Click Request a meeting below to explore how Borland Architecture can bring your forever home vision to life.