Red Hill, Canberra

Complete Renovation

Red Hill Project

Design & Construct — Extension & Complete Renovation

A collaborative transformation of a classic 1950s/60s Red Hill home

When the Red Hill clients invited Graham Kemp Building to renovate their charming 1950s/60s brick-veneer home, they had one clear request:
“Bring our home into the modern era — but keep the character and the streetscape we love.”

This meant honouring the original architecture — including the distinctive steel-framed windows — while carrying out a full transformation of the home’s structure, interior layout, and liveability.

The challenge was large.
The opportunities were even larger.
And with a Design & Construct approach, Graham and the clients worked side-by-side, navigating variations and design decisions to deliver a complete, cohesive renovation.

THE CLIENT BRIEF

The clients envisioned a complete modernisation, including:

  • Structural issues in parts of the original house garage and drainage

  • A patio and rear living area with little connection to the outdoors

  • A new master bedroom extension

  • Ensuite and new bathrooms
 
  • Walk-through wardrobes
  • A relocated, modern kitchen
  • A new double garage

  • A new laundry
  • A layout that maximises north-facing light
  • Preserving the 1950s/60s streetscape and steel-framed windows

Graham’s goal:
Create a contemporary home seamlessly integrated with the charm of the original.

THE EXISTING HOME

The original residence featured:

  • 1950s/60s brick veneer construction
  • Terra cotta tiled pitched roof
  • Solid load-bearing internal walls

  • An outdated floor plan divided into small, disconnected rooms

  • Structural issues in parts of the original garage and drainage
with intrusive steel columns
  • A patio and rear living area with little connection to the outdoors


The bones were solid — but the home no longer met the needs of modern family living.

THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCT APPROACH

Working collaboratively, Graham led the design to deliver a carefully engineered extension and full renovation — all while solving significant structural complexities.

1. New Double Garage + Master Bedroom Above

The extension began with a double garage constructed at lower-ground level, supporting a new master suite above.

The upper level included:

  • Master bedroom with elevated views
  • Walk-through wardrobes
  • Spacious new ensuite with double bowl vanities
  • Walk-in shower with fixed glass screens

This addition improved both function and value — while keeping the frontage aligned with the home’s original character.

2. New Bathrooms & Ensuite

The existing bathrooms were stripped out to create:

  • A new family bathroom with free-standing bath
  • A large walk-in shower
  • Premium double vanity
  • New ensuite mirroring the design aesthetic

The result: practical luxury blended with timeless styling.

3. Relocating & Reimagining the Kitchen

To take full advantage of natural northern light views to living room, Graham proposed relocating the kitchen to a brighter, more central position.

Features included:

  • A completely renovated kitchen space

  • New layout connecting seamlessly to the increased dining room

  • French doors opening onto a new rear courtyard

  • Improved flow between indoor and outdoor dining

This change elevated the home’s daily functionality while creating a warm entertaining space.

4. Structural Repairs & Rumpus Conversion

  • Structural defects in the original home and garage

  • Poor drainage that was replaced including, providing a new concrete slab to eliminate the rising damp

These repairs ensured the new spaces were built on a safe, stable foundation.

Before converting the existing garage area into a rumpus room, Graham addressed:

5. Significant Variation: New Under-House Entry & Stairway

During excavation for the new double garage, it became clear that Bedroom 1 required additional shoring for stability.
This revealed an unexpected opportunity.

In consultation with the client, Graham proposed — and the client approved — a major variation:

This included:

A complete re-design of the front entry.

  • Removing the existing concrete steps and landing

  • Excavating beneath Bedroom 1 to create internal access from the new garage
and wine cellar
  • Constructing a new front entry foyer with a feature door and north-facing highlight window

  • Installing a striking open internal staircase with glass balustrade

This significantly modernised the home while improving accessibility and comfort.

6. Internal Rebuild for Master Suite Access & Additional Rooms

To support the new master suite and improved floor plan, Graham:

  • Propped up the existing roof

  • Demolished brick and timber internal walls

  • Removed old slabs and constructed new floor framing

  • Built new walls supporting the pitched roof

  • Created new access pathways from Bedroom 1 into the ensuite

  • Added a new bathroom with free-standing bath, double vanity, and walk-in shower

This internal reconstruction brought cohesion to the home, linking the new extension to the original layout.

7. Expanded Dining + Lounge with New Kitchen Integration

To support modern living:

  • Additional internal space was created to the dining and lounge rooms

  • The new kitchen was integrated into the design

  • French doors were added to open onto the new courtyard

  • Structural LVL timber and steel beams were sized and installed (in consultation with a structural engineer) to support
    roof loads after removing walls

These changes transformed previously compartmentalised rooms into a light-filled open-plan living space.

8. Removal of Existing Single Glazed Windows With Aluminium Double Glazed Windows and French Doors

  • Provide updated insulation to all external walls
  • Under floor insulation
  • New ceiling insulation

These changes transformed previously poor insulation to today’s updated energy rating requirments.

THE RESULT

The Red Hill project ultimately delivered a full transformation, with:

  • A new master suite above a double garage

  • Beautifully finished bathrooms and ensuite

  • New kitchen with shafted sky light over the kitchen bench

  • Open and connected living spaces
to northerly views over Canberra CIty
  • A dramatic new front entry and internal staircase

  • Renovated dining and lounge rooms

  • Improved drainage and structural integrity

  • A modern home that still respects the 1950s/60s character

By embracing the Design & Construct process — and with the client and builder working closely together— this once modest home became a refined, spacious, and contemporary residence fit for modern living.

Client Review

See the testimonial from keith Fleming to hear directly from the homeowner about their experience working with Graham Kemp Building.

” Our renovation of 75 Endeavour street, Red Hill

Throughout 2019, we engaged Graham to do.a comprehensive renovation of our 1960s house, with a view to expanding and modernising without losing its original identity. This required significant structural rectification and upgrading. Graham essentially rebuilt the whole house, from floorboards to roof, windows, doors, entrance, bathrooms, kitchen, terraces, garage, cellar and more. The finish was exceptional with a seamless look between the old areas and the extension. We even had matching old mossy roof tiles. Graham was perfect for this job with his expertise and experience. He inspired confidence, solved problems and had a great working relationship with all the trades on site. We were very pleased with the process and the result.

Keith and Fiona Fleming “