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Jerrara Cottage

Kiama, NSW

Jerrara Cottage is the careful transformation of a 10 × 10 metre garage into a compact family home. The original structure a concrete slab enclosed by corrugated roofing and a wall of tilt-up doors offered little amenity but generous volume. Rather than expand the footprint, the project works entirely within the existing envelope, using precision and restraint to achieve spatial generosity.

The north-western garage doors were removed and replaced with a continuous line of glazed sliders, introducing light, cross-ventilation and a direct relationship to the garden. A covered verandah now mediates between interior and landscape. This single move reoriented the building from inward-looking shed to outward-connected dwelling.

Internally, the removal of the former ceiling revealed the full height of the pitched roof and its steel structure. The existing beams are retained and expressed, supported by three slender steel posts that maintain the rhythm of the original garage bays. The increased vertical volume gives the interior a sense of scale that offsets the modest 100-square-metre footprint.

The clients requested an interior free of plasterboard, resulting in a complete lining of recycled timber to floors, walls, ceilings and mezzanine structure. Much of the material was salvaged from the demolition of the former Summer Hill Flour Mill, lending texture and durability while reducing material waste. The consistent timber envelope creates warmth and cohesion, allowing natural light and garden views to remain the primary focus.

Originally conceived for a couple, the house has evolved to accommodate a family of five. The plan contains three bedrooms two on the ground floor and one within a mezzanine loft alongside a small study, kitchen, living and dining area, bathroom and laundry. Each space is compact yet carefully proportioned, prioritising flexibility and connection over surplus area.

Environmental performance is embedded in the architecture. Retention of the existing slab, walls and roof reduced embodied carbon and construction cost, enabling investment in insulation, double glazing and high-quality joinery. Cross-ventilation, passive solar orientation and timber shutters allow the home to operate comfortably year-round without mechanical heating or cooling.

Jerrara Cottage demonstrates how constraint can inform clarity. By working with the existing structure and limiting material interventions, the project achieves a balance of economy, durability and spatial generosity transforming a utilitarian garage into a robust and enduring family home.

Project Architect: Daniel Weber

Builder: Kye Furlong, Saltbox Building

Engineer: Canterlever Engineers