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Board-formed concrete retaining walls double as ramps from the deck to the garden’s highest point.

A single crepe myrtle, which sports red blossoms in summer, defines the courtyard.

The home’s enclosed courtyard sits at “the heart of the structure,” says Baumann, who resides with his wife, Lisa Sardinas, and eight-year-old son, Oskar. “This is clearly the dominant space; everything flexes towards it.” Baumann cast the square concrete floor tiles himself, enlisting the help of his son. A small, neat patch of grass—a playful nod to the archetypal domestic lawn—is edited down to a charming folly.

Wood paneling provides a pop of contrast on the front side of the home. The two-car garage is to the left.

Stepped outdoor terraces, with landscaping by Colin Okashimo Associates, wrap the house’s curves, and also act as a buffer for floodwaters.

The home’s great room can easily extend onto the outdoor deck thanks to glass walls that slide away.

When the couple noticed tile poking out of the ground near the front door, they began excavating. To their surprise, they discovered a rectangular reflecting pool that had been buried due to neglect. Now a concrete bridge leads over the rebuilt water feature to the front door, which is painted an eye-catching orange to match its original color.

Designed by Fowler and Ward, this affordable two-unit home provides a beautiful solution to the Melbourne’s housing shortage.

The ground-floor volume is covered warm timber surfaces and stucco render with a Dulux Surfmist paint finish.

Following the example of the neighboring homes, the architects placed the upper floor slightly behind the ground-floor volume. Although the new roof is only 47 inches taller than its single-story predecessor, it allows for a second story.

A light renovation connects this Sydney home with its lushly landscaped grounds.