Tranquil Architecture

Tranquil Architecture Client focused residential architects - specialising in renovations, extensions and rebuilds 👍

09/06/2026

A rammed earth wall does more than look beautiful - it can change the way a home feels. 🌿

In our Ainslie secondary dwelling, we chose to run a single rammed earth wall through the internal spine of the home. Because the house is tucked into the rear of the block and not visible from the street, we wanted this beautiful natural material to be appreciated where it would be experienced every day - inside.

By placing the wall internally, both sides can be seen, touched and enjoyed as you move through the home. It becomes more than a feature wall - it becomes part of the home’s rhythm.

When properly designed and detailed, rammed earth can contribute to a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment:
✨ Its high thermal mass can help absorb, store and release heat, supporting more stable internal temperatures
✨ As an unfired earth material, it can be a lower embodied energy choice compared with some conventional masonry materials
✨ It is typically low in volatile organic compounds, supporting better indoor air quality when paired with appropriate finishes
✨ Its density can contribute to acoustic separation and a quieter internal environment
✨ Its natural materiality, texture and earthy tones can support a stronger visual and tactile connection to nature

For us, the beauty of rammed earth is not just in how it looks, but in how it makes a home feel - solid, calm, warm and deeply connected to place.

Want to learn more about this material? Visit YourHome’s guide to rammed earth: https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/rammed-earth

Architect: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Builder: IHS Building
Joiner:
Photos:



Interested in a knockdown rebuild and want to find out more about rammed earth? Let's chat 👍

07/06/2026

A beautiful home designed for modern family life 🌿

Our Lyneham knockdown rebuild is a contemporary 4 bedroom plus study, 2 bathroom home with 175m² of living space - thoughtfully planned to feel open, calm and connected.

At the heart of the home, the kitchen, dining and living areas sit beneath a spectacular raked ceiling, with soft 'bayleaf' green cabinetry, crisp black trim and a generous open plan layout that flows beautifully for everyday living.

Opening to due north, this space welcomes winter sun deep into the home, bringing warmth and light on these cold Canberra winter mornings 🥶

And while there are plenty of lovely details, the spotted gum engineered timber floor is the true hero of this project. Its natural warmth and character ground the home, creating a relaxed and timeless feel throughout.

Project: Lyneham Rebuild
Architect: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder:
Joiner:

Dreaming of a sun-filled family home? Chat to us today about creating a thoughtful, energy-efficient home for the way you live ☀️

Thinking about a renovation, extension or rebuild? Let us be the experts in your corner ✨Planning a home project can fee...
03/06/2026

Thinking about a renovation, extension or rebuild? Let us be the experts in your corner ✨

Planning a home project can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

We’re Paul and Reiné from .architecture. Canberra born and bred, with over 20 years of local industry experience each, we know the ins and outs of residential construction in Canberra 🏡

Reiné is a registered Architect in the ACT and NSW, and Paul is a nationally qualified thermal performance assessor and ex-engineer — bringing together practical building knowledge, thoughtful design, and a deep understanding of how Canberra homes need to perform.

We help Canberra families create homes that are comfortable, sustainable, delightful and cost-effective — while making the journey clearer, calmer and more enjoyable 👌

Through our integrated, staged service, we bring together architecture, interior design and thermal performance from the very beginning. We guide you through early ideas, approvals, builder conversations and the build itself.

We work alongside you, your builder and suppliers — supporting key discussions and negotiations so you can make confident decisions and get the best out of your investment.

Whether you’re renovating, extending or rebuilding, we’re here to help you create a home that works beautifully for real family life 💕

Ready to start your journey? Chat to us today about your dream home.

A new lease on life for a typical Canberra home ✏️🏡This large home in Chapman is starting to feel tired, and a previous ...
31/05/2026

A new lease on life for a typical Canberra home ✏️🏡

This large home in Chapman is starting to feel tired, and a previous extension cut the home off from the rear garden - Our refresh is about working thoughtfully with what already exists while creating better flow, light and connection.

We’re retaining the existing bedroom and bathroom layout, while opening up the living spaces, kitchen and laundry to connect between a generous new deck over the driveway and the beautiful, private backyard.

New north facing windows and insulation upgrades across the home, along with replacing all windows with high performance timber look uPVC, will make a huge difference to the comfort and ambient temperature of the home 👌

The clients have also engaged landscape designer Michelle Elvins (.landscape.design.studio) to create a beautiful native garden design, incorporating a new conversation seating area and retaining walls set amongst layers of planting — helping to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living 🌿

Designed for clients who love to entertain, the home will feel comfortable for two people day-to-day, while also being ready to host a party when the moment calls. Changes to an awkward and underutilised rear extension will also create a dedicated new home office — and did you spot the discreet butler’s pantry? 💕

Thinking about giving your own home a new lease on life? Get in touch — we’d love to help.

A closer look at our recently completed 8.4 star EER secondary dwelling in Ainslie. ✨ As Canberra grows, thoughtful urba...
27/05/2026

A closer look at our recently completed 8.4 star EER secondary dwelling in Ainslie. ✨

As Canberra grows, thoughtful urban infill will play an important role in shaping more sustainable and connected suburbs. But increasing density shouldn’t mean sacrificing sunlight, gardens, privacy or the character of our neighbourhoods. 💚

This project was designed as a gentle form of infill - carefully positioned to maintain access to northern sun, preserve outdoor garden spaces, and create comfortable, energy-efficient living for both dwellings on the site.

With Canberra’s new Missing Middle reforms encouraging more dual occupancies, terraces and low-rise housing across established suburbs, we have an opportunity to deliver better housing outcomes without endless urban sprawl. 🏡

Done well, these projects can help more people live in the communities they already love - while supporting walkable, resilient and lower-energy neighbourhoods for the future.

The conversation around density is often framed as “more housing vs better suburbs”. We believe good design can deliver both. 👌

This project was approved as a secondary dwelling arrangement, with the original dwelling remaining under 90m² and the new rear dwelling becoming the primary residence on the block.

Architect: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder: IHS Building
Photos:

Check out all the photos on our website:
www.tranquilarchitecture.com.au/ainslie-rammed-earth-house

Thinking about creating multiple homes on a single block? We’d love to help you explore what’s possible for your site.

20/05/2026

The arched servery at our Lyneham project has been getting a lot of love over on Pinterest lately ✨

And it all came from solving a very common renovation challenge: what happens when an original external kitchen window suddenly becomes an internal opening after an extension?

Rather than replacing it with a standard rectangular frame, we looked to the home’s original character for inspiration. A nearby existing archway became the cue for this curved servery connecting the kitchen to the new dining room.

It’s a simple design move, but one that helps the old and new parts of the home feel beautifully connected 💚

Architect: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Builder:
Kitchen: existing, with a few spare tiles 👌

Ps - did you spot the deep green bathroom from the same project with arched mirror and shower a few posts back? ➡️

Check out all the project photos on our website: www.tranquilarchitecture.com.au/lyneham-extension

15/05/2026

Laundry day might never be fun… but your laundry can still be beautiful. 🖤

In our recently completed Weetangera renovation, we designed a laundry that feels calm, practical, and easy to live in - because when you use a space every single week, it shouldn’t be one you dread walking into.

For this active, sporty family, functionality was key. A generous clean-lined bench with the washer and dryer tucked neatly underneath creates plenty of room for folding, sorting, and everyday life. Ample hanging space was also a must, while direct access to the rear deck and pool area made durability and practicality essential.

To bring natural light into the room without compromising privacy when entertaining, we selected a frosted glass door - allowing light to filter through while keeping the laundry discreetly hidden from view.

A crisp neutral palette of black, white, and grey lets the texture and pattern of the splashback tile shine. Repeated throughout the kitchen and wet areas of the home, the tile creates a cohesive feel, while the darker floor tile introduces a subtle natural grain that keeps the space feeling grounded and warm.

And did we mention the separate walk-in linen cupboard? 👏
A dedicated storage space where everything has its place - and you can actually see what you have - makes day-to-day family life so much easier. Thoughtful storage solutions like this help keep the home feeling calm, organised, and functional long after the renovation is complete.

We design homes that balance beauty, functionality, and the way your family truly lives. ✨

Architect: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder: Kirgroprojects
Joinery:

Designed for growing teenagers, working from home, and everyday family life - this renovation is all about flexibility a...
15/05/2026

Designed for growing teenagers, working from home, and everyday family life - this renovation is all about flexibility and flow. ✨

A small extension and clever internal rearrangement to this Belconnen home will create a new second bathroom (ensuite), two updated kids’ bedrooms ready for the teenage years, and a powder room.

We’re also creating a dedicated multipurpose room between the adult and kids’ zones - a flexible buffer space for working from home, study, quiet retreat or accommodating the occasional guest with a Murphy wall bed.

The new layout creates better separation between parents’ and kids’ spaces while still feeling like a connected and cohesive family home.

Opening up and modernising the kitchen and living areas will improve flow throughout the home, with stronger connection out to a new deck in the private north-facing front yard. Surrounded by gardens, this compact family home will feel light-filled, functional and beautifully connected to the outdoors. 🌿

Planning a renovation that needs to work harder for your family now and into the future? Thoughtful design can completely transform the way your home feels and functions.

12/05/2026

Sunlight, structure and a great team coming together ☀️🏡

We recently popped past our Hackett project, and we caught up with the builder, carpenter and plumber as the new north-facing extension was being set out following demolition. Seeing the winter sun stream deep into the home is always a reminder of why thoughtful orientation matters so much in a renovation, and will make a massive difference to the feel and ambient temperature of the home.

The best outcomes come from close collaboration - working alongside skilled builders and trades from the very beginning to make sure every detail supports the design intent and the way our clients want to live.

Excited to see this Canberra renovation and extension start taking shape ✨

Architect: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder:
Carpenter:
Plumber:

08/05/2026

From design ideas and a 3D perspective... To a beautiful, functional space ✨

Inspired by 70’s interiors, this bathroom combines deep forest green wall tiles with warm sandy floor tiles, rich timber joinery, brushed gold tapware and soft arched forms to create a space that feels grounded, moody and calm.

One of the most rewarding parts of the design process is seeing the original vision come to life so closely in the finished result 💚

Thoughtful design isn’t just about how a space looks - it’s about how it feels to live in every day.

Planning a renovation? Chat to us today about creating a home that feels uniquely yours.

Architect: .architecture
Interiors: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder:

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Unit 10, 2-10 Oatley Court
Belconnen, ACT
2617

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