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Michael McManus Architects

Michael McManus Architects is a specialist outfit designing spatially efficient and engaging buildings connected with the environment.

26/08/2026

Awesome to see Ardeer House grace the pages of the new Sanctuary magazine by Renew and receive an indepth look-in by Jacinta Cleary.

This edition is about smaller projects, which I've always tried to support and be available for. The Ardeer project was particularly enjoyable to be part of. A modest 5sqm was added, the sunlight found and closer relationship to garden forged. Simple things, that make an important difference and are a great learning.

Thanks to Ben Moynihan for the excellent photography and the clients Anna and Ben for being open to being interviewed.

05/08/2026

The roof sarking at our Preston project provided some great protection today from the rain for our regular site meeting. We were checking future ceiling lines, base details, landscape works and dropping off items we're organised for construction. Smooth progress on this one.

An aim of the extension is excellent comfort. Walls all utilise 140mm studwork, a warm room concept should see the insulation being more continuous throughout the rooms, despite different ceiling heights. We've also introduced a hold point to check over insulation before it gets concealed.

The team at Cassilis Constructions were stoked to have a demo from Performance Membranes Aus before installing the selected sarking. Great communication on this project.

13/07/2026

As architects, we love to be heroic (no shortage of cantilever out there), but a practical response sometimes perfectly fits the bill - particularly in this climate.

The Reservoir House already had an existing L-shaped plan with a tied in roof junction (see last photo). This rational design response goes with the flow by refitting the existing shell and extending out in the prevailing direction to accommodate extra bedrooms. A neat setup with lots of connection to future garden plans.

Simple design can be a good thing. There is a multitude of ways of designing things, either working strategically with what you have or redoing everything. It’s worth judiciously assessing your options before building. Reach out if you need help.

*Not to bash to heroic though, experimentation and 'the search' is an important part of the creative process.

Photo no.1 by Ben Moynihan
Built by Hardat Developments

10/07/2026

At Hawthorn House, we removed an old pergola and paving to create a new garden space and expose the heritage detail of the original house. The timber clad extension is the new kitchen (the upper storey is over the existing house).

Part way through demolition, at a site visit we saw the opportunity to keep the old brick
retaining wall as a entry bench seat. We flicked the owners the sketch (3rd image) early in the process and the builder Luke Parker made it happen. I’m pretty sure builders find it funny when they find me starring into the nether on site while they're hard at it, but I’m probably hatching a plan 🤓.

Located on the land of the Wurrundheri Woi Wurrung people.

Photo 1: Jarrod Barnes

07/07/2026

I recently quizzed past clients for feedback after construction about our service. Opening the responses I was somewhat trepidatious.

This was part of the response from Anna, thank you:

“It felt easy from the start and when a concept was presented it really suprised us what
was possible given the limitations we had. I think we held a lot of similar values as
people and also about what’s important in our home.”

“I would say that our expectations were exceeded. I didn’t think that we could ‘afford’ an
architectural design but Michael was able to work so flexibly with us and I trusted that
he held our best interests in mind.”

“The renovation has made our place so much more enjoyable to live in. I love spending
time at home (vs staring at the faults and hating it previously). I love how functional it is
and how well designed it is without it being intimidating. It’s also much more energy
efficient.”

“I think between the builder and Michael’s meticulous details, we had no nasty budget
scares which was our biggest concern."

11/06/2026

Kudos to the teams that realise the building we design. There are a multitude of relationships involved in a single house: builder-architect-engineer-building surveyor, client, builder-subcontractor, subcontractor- supplier. It can be a long process with lots of communication and good will.

These photos are a bit of spread of recent works at Point Lonsdale house, built by Michael Limb Builders and engineering by PD Structures. As a (largely) desk jockey who loves being on site, seeing all the complications resolved in a shifting site with little comfort... hats off to you.

Working frequently to resuscitate and add to existing homes, these projects can be trickier in detail and require people who ultimately deeply care.

28/05/2026

Upstairs areas always present the fun challenge of navigating around the planning frameworks intelligently, so we can provide spaces with adequate outlook, sun and fresh air befitting the investment.

At Hawthorn House, upstairs spaces were all designed to comply with overlooking requirements while creating that lofty sense of space that comes from natural light. This approach often requires us to argue our case to the authorities with detailed sections, as we're not relying on the standard checkbox "all windows frosted or above 1.7m" approach.

Got to take advantage of the local covenant and those tiled rooftop views (responsibly)!

Located on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

Photos (handover) by
Built by

21/05/2026

Hawthorn House had the good fortune of having an active title covenant (from 1922!) that prohibited the use of metal roofing. Consequently, the only viable option was for all the extension’s roofing had to be tiled with a 15-degree fall, leading to a fairly traditional profile on a narrow block.

To shift things up, the sloped roof profile was brought into the ceilings below, having the effect of accentuating the garden perimeter as a green band in the living areas. Thanks to the clients for trusting us on the Dulux Green Ash Half colour. Side bonus: taller ceiling heights achieved.

Located on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

Photos (handover) by
Built by

09/04/2026

Laminex, stainless and tasmanian ash overheads at Hawthorn House at handover.

Construction budgets frequently require that most wall and ceiling surfaces be plasterboard. Joinery then pops in as the interesting component.

A linear kitchen to an external wall prioritises available living space to the extension, while forming a gentle unfussy backdrop. For this to work well amongst the living area, the sink and fridge are located in a more concealed spot. The oven from the old house gets a second life.

I'll expain the green ceiling in a future post.

Check the website for a first glance.

Photo by
Built by
Joinery by and

07/04/2026

Hawthorn House, a couple of days before move-in time in the still early light.

Really happy with how these new living spaces engage with the site, now being keenly landscaped by the owners. Upstairs, two new bedrooms make for a long term place to call home.

The project is up on our website for a first glance.

Located on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

Photo by
Built by

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+61431827858

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http://www.michaelmcmanus.com.au/

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