Campbell, Canberra New
Complete Renovation
Welcome to Graham Kemp Building
Where experience, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design come together
When you meet Graham Kemp, you’re meeting one of Canberra’s most experienced and trusted residential builders — a multi-award-winning craftsman with decades of hands-on experience in:
- Solid brick and brick-veneer homes
- Load-bearing internal wall systems
- Traditional pitched-roof construction
- Modern prefabricated wall and roof truss systems
- Complete extensions, renovations, and new home builds
Graham and his long-standing team of highly skilled tradespeople bring deep knowledge, consistency, and pride to every project. Whether you are planning a renovation, extension, or a complete new home, Graham offers:
- Design & Construct Services
- Expertly designed and finished builds
- Detailed quotations for your own architectural plans
- Clear communication and practical, experience-driven solutions
A Guided Experience With Graham
Let’s step into one of Graham’s recent Design & Construct projects — the Campbell Extension & Full Renovation.
THE BRIEF
When the Campbell clients first invited Graham to their classic 1950s/60s solid-brick home, they shared a simple vision:
“We love our location, but we want a modern home that feels open, full of natural light, and connected to the outdoors. We need a master suite, bigger living spaces, and a better flow for family life.”
Graham listened — then began shaping a plan to transform the residence while retaining its character.
BEFORE
The existing home featured:
- Solid brick, load-bearing internal walls
- A traditional pitched roof
- A dark internal hallway
- Separated lounge, dining, kitchen, and laundry
- A small patio and limited access to the rear garden
Graham immediately recognised the potential — and the structural challenges.
His response: open the home up, bring in the light, and create modern living spaces that connect indoors to outdoors.
THE TRANSFORMATION
1. Opening the Heart of the Home
To create one expansive living, kitchen, and dining area, Graham worked closely with:
- A structural engineer to safely remove several internal solid brick load-bearing walls
- A roof truss manufacturer to design a new trussed roof structure over the existing pitched roof
This move unlocked the home’s flow — turning a closed-off floor plan into a light-filled open living zone.
2. A Modern Indoor–Outdoor Connection
Front Patio Transformation
- Removed the dated pergola and wrought-iron handrail
- Replaced the lounge window with double-glazed sliding doors
- Added side awning windows
- Built a new ceiling-lined truss roof over the patio
- Installed modern laminated glass balustrades
The result: A fresh, modern welcoming facade.
Rear Alfresco & Deck
- Fitted a girder truss to support a new large alfresco roof
- Installed double-glazed doors with awning windows
- Extended living spaces onto a generous rear deck with garden views
3. Kitchen, Dining & Utility Re-imagined
- Removed the old kitchen, dining, laundry, and multiple external doors
- Opened the entire space to the alfresco deck
- Converted the old laundry into a butler’s pantry
- Built a new modern laundry featuring a picture corner window overlooking the landscaped garden
4. The New Master Suite Wing
A private retreat was added, including:
- Master bedroom with double-glazed sliding doors opening to the deck
- Walk-in robe
- Freestanding bath with a feature window overlooking the garden
- Double-bowl vanity
- Large semi-frameless shower enclosure
An existing rear bedroom now acts as the transition space into the new parents’ retreat.
5. Bringing in Natural Light
The clients were concerned about their dark hallway and stairwell. Graham’s solution:
- Extend the front roof to integrate a north-facing highlight window
- Add an Allume skylight over the internal stairs
This dramatically changed the feel of the home — flooding previously dim areas with sunlight.
6. Finishing Touches
To complete the transformation:
- Renovated the existing bathroom
- Installed new double-glazed windows throughout
- Rendered and painted the external brickwork for a clean, modern aesthetic
- Installed new Tasmanian Oak fine sanded & polished floorboards throughout the home
THE RESULT
A complete transformation that blends the strength of the original structure with modern, open, light-filled living — delivered with the precision and care Graham is known for.
Client Review
See the testimonial from Scott Thurbon to hear directly from the homeowner about their experience working with Graham Kemp Building.