Tranquil Architecture

05/09/2026

On this project, we’re stepping outside to create more room for work, rest and good company. 🌿

What began with the need for a replacement deck and a redesigned pergola to improve sun access into the home has grown into a complete reimagining of this Curtin backyard.

New stairs will connect the elevated home directly to the garden, where two independent pods will provide a flexible home office or sleepout and a private sauna retreat. The spaces between and around them are just as important—with an outdoor shower, hot tub, fire pit and deck creating places to unwind, gather and enjoy the garden.

Luke, Liam and the team at Bespoke Building Services are bringing this small, refined project to life with beautiful craftsmanship and a careful eye for detail.

They’ve enjoyed working with FormFlow and shou sugi ban cladding, alongside uPVC windows and OSB internal linings—a combination that brings texture and character to these thoughtfully designed spaces.

Have an idea that’s a little out of the ordinary? Get in touch—we’d love to help bring it to life! 👌

Architect: Tranquil Architecture
Builder: Bespoke Building Services

31/08/2026

Turning an awkward rear entry into a welcoming way home.✏️🏡

Like many Canberra battleaxe homes, the main arrival to this property is from the rear - but the existing garage, stairs and entry weren’t creating the most welcoming first impression.

Our sketch design rethinks this whole arrival experience.

We’ve proposed a generous double carport, converted the difficult-to-access garage into a home gym and workshop, and created a new covered stair and internal entry that feels much more intentional and welcoming.

And rather than letting the new carport roof go to waste, we’ve turned it into a large, covered and elevated deck - improving the connection between the home and garden while making the most of the views down the driveway. 🌿

A great example of how one carefully considered addition can solve several problems at once: better parking, a better entry, more usable space and a stronger connection to the outdoors.

28/08/2026

A more sustainable home starts with the decisions you make before the walls even go up 🏡

On our 8.4 star EER, fully wheelchair-accessible dual occupancy in Scullin, we’re using a Biax Foundations slab system as part of our approach to improving both the sustainability and thermal performance of the home.

The Biax pods are made from 100% recycled plastic and, unlike bulky polystyrene waffle pods, they nest tightly together for transport and storage. That means more can be delivered in a single load, less space is needed on site and there’s no polystyrene cutting waste blowing around during installation.

It’s one of those details that will be completely hidden once the home is finished, but can make a real difference to the sustainability of the building now and into the future.

Thanks to Neil at for the hard work and Dean and the team at for bringing it all together on site. We really enjoy working with trades and builders who share our focus on thoughtful construction, sustainability and long-term performance.

Good sustainable design is rarely one big feature. It’s hundreds of considered decisions, right from the foundations.

Architect: Tranquil Architecture
Thermal Consultant: Tranquil Architecture
Builder: 360 Building Solutions
Concreter: Vertex Concreting

31/07/2026

It was great working with the team at Windows Factory to optimise the windows at our Watson rebuild, including this spectacular lift and slide door 👌
Being built by the team at 360 Building Solutions 👍

24/07/2026

A home designed to support independence, comfort and changing needs — now and into the future.

This renovation and small extension to a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Torrens has been carefully designed to help our clients age in place.

With current sensory and mobility requirements to consider, the layout has been reworked to improve accessibility and make everyday life easier. The existing bathroom will be retained but reconfigured to include an integrated laundry, with accessible clearances and features suited to both current and future needs.

The design also includes flush access at the front entry, ramped access to the carport and rear garden, grab rails throughout, a separate powder room, a dedicated massage room and additional parking for carers at the front of the home.

Improved insulation and replacement windows will also create a more comfortable and energy-efficient living environment throughout Canberra’s changing seasons.

Thoughtful design is not just about how a home looks — it is about creating a place that continues to work beautifully for the people who live there.

17/07/2026

We’re excited to share a recent article by The Canberra Times about who we are, what we do, and why we started Tranquil Architecture.

Many people still associate architects with large, expensive new homes, but thoughtful architectural advice can add real value to projects of all sizes - including the smaller, sustainable and budget-conscious renovations that we specialise in.

The article shares a little more about our approach to residential design and how we help Canberra homeowners create practical, comfortable and sustainable homes that better support everyday life.

We’d love you all to have a read, share it with anyone considering changes to their home, and help more people understand what good design can bring to a renovation - no matter its size.

Thank you for supporting our small family business.
Reiné and Paul

How to expand your living space and improve comfort without starting from scratch.

26/06/2026

Dreaming of a high-performance home in the country? ✨

This recently completed family home in Gundaroo was designed for comfortable, sustainable, high-performance living on a beautiful 2500m² block 🌿

With an impressive 8.1 star energy rating, this 4 bed, 2bath 195m2 home has been careful orientated and designed using passive solar design principles, making the home warm, light-filled and deeply connected to its surrounding established gardens.

Inside, polished concrete slabs, beautiful joinery and generous spaces come together to create a home that feels calm, practical and ready for family life.

There is also a separate 2-bedroom secondary residence at the front of the property, adding even more flexibility for extended family, guests, rental potential or future needs.

This is the kind of home that shows what thoughtful design can do - balancing lifestyle, sustainability, comfort and long-term flexibility.

Architect: .architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder:

Planning a home on a larger block and want to live more gently on the land? Chat to us today about your ideas 🌱

19/06/2026

When Canberra turns cold, our clients stay warm and comfortable ❄️🏡

High-quality and well installed insulation in your walls, ceiling and underfloor spaces is one of the most important features in a high-performing home - even though you'll never see it.

Did you know 5% gaps = 50% reduction in performance 🤯

Good insulation helps keep warmth inside during winter, reduces energy use, and creates a more comfortable ambient living environment all year round.

Whether you're renovating an older Canberra home or planning a new build, considering and investing in well installed insulation can make a remarkable difference to how your home feels and performs 👌

At Tranquil Architecture, we specialise in making Canberra homes comfortable, sustainable and delightful.

Thinking about making your home warmer, more efficient and more beautiful? We'd love to chat about what's possible. 👍

www.tranquilarchitecture.com.au
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Architect:.architecture
Thermal Consultant: .architecture
Builder:

16/06/2026

A steep block. A tricky entry. A smarter way to use the home.👌

For this project in McKellar, our clients engaged us to convert an underutilised courtyard style deck into a new separate lounge room.

We designed this new lounge space to work with the existing roof form, retain the existing windows to the rooms above, and avoid the need for box gutters - helping keep the design simpler, limit changes to the rest of the home, and minimise the risk of water problems in the future.

Located on a steep hill, the home also had a challenging entry sequence. As we worked through the design process, the clients mentioned that they disliked not having internal access between the garage and the front door of the home...

So we explored options to solve that too - creating a more practical, connected entry at the front of the home and reclaiming the side garden as private space, but also ensuring it tied in and matched the form and style of the existing home.

A small shift in the brief can sometimes unlock a much better way to live in a home.

What do you think of this concept? Would you like to see more design ideas like this? Let us know in the comments!

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 👍