bold concrete frame by george kouparitsas reshapes pre-war cottage's facade in australia

concrete volumes merge with pre-war Dohori House’s facade

George Kouparitsas Architects leads the transformation of the Dohori House, a five-bedroom residence located in one of Ascot’s most prestigious cul-de-sacs in Australia. The project involved reconfiguring a pre-war home to accommodate contemporary spatial requirements while maintaining its original street-facing character. The design approach emphasized contrast and continuity, integrating new structural elements behind the preserved facade.

A primary design strategy focused on articulating mass and void to establish a clear dialogue between old and new. The double-storey rear extension, constructed from cast-in-situ concrete, serves both structural and finishing roles. Its textured, monolithic form introduces a material contrast while remaining visually subordinate to the existing streetscape. This intervention allowed the original structure to remain a contextual anchor within the streetscape.

all images by Mitchell Kemp

George Kouparitsas reorganizes Dohori House’s internal layout

The design team at George Kouparitsas Architects reorganized the internal layout to accommodate a range of functions. Public and social spaces are located on the ground floor, including an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area that connects directly to an outdoor patio, swimming pool, and outdoor kitchen. Supporting spaces, such as a guest bedroom, library, and home office, are also positioned on this level to support diverse usage. The upper floor contains five bedrooms, including a main suite, and additional living areas intended for family use.

Spatial planning was guided by the constraints of the narrow site and regulatory requirements related to the building’s pre-war classification. Design decisions were calibrated to ensure appropriate daylight access, ventilation, and privacy throughout the dwelling. The integration of new and existing built forms required coordinated structural and material resolutions. At the rear, a former horse stable was retained and repurposed as a home gym. At the front, a newly constructed carport complements the material and spatial language of the residence. The overall composition relies on a restrained palette, geometric clarity, and layered spatial hierarchy to reconcile historical elements with contemporary programmatic needs.

preserved pre-war facade maintains the home’s original street presence

cast-in-situ concrete forms define the new rear extension

contrasting materials create a dialogue between heritage and contemporary design

open-plan living area connects directly to outdoor spaces

mass and void relationships shape the building’s formal expression

concrete, timber, and neutral tones create visual cohesion

clean lines and restrained finishes define the interior design

outdoor kitchen and swimming pool extend the social zone

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kitchen, dining, and lounge flow into the poolside patio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: Dohori House
architects: George Kouparitsas Architects | @georgekouparitsas_architect

location: Ascot, Australia

structure: Walvin Constructions | @walvinconstructions

photographer: Mitchell Kemp | @mkemp.co

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom