WHITTLE RESIDENCE
Architect
Slavicek Studio Architecture
This renovation was built by Built to Style Homes, led by builder Guy Lupo.
Guy and his team delivered the project with a strong focus on detail, particularly through the custom joinery, outdoor kitchen and alfresco entertaining area.
Projects like this work best when design and construction are aligned early, and it was great to collaborate with a builder who understands the intent behind the architecture.
A kitchen renovation that turned into a full rethink of how this house connects to the backyard.
The Problem
When we first visited this house in Stirling, the brief sounded simple: redesign the kitchen.
But the more we looked at the layout, the clearer it became that the kitchen wasn’t really the problem. The real issue was how disconnected the house felt from the backyard and pool.
The family loved entertaining, yet the outdoor space felt like an afterthought. The kitchen faced away from it, circulation was awkward, and the alfresco didn’t really function as a proper outdoor room.
So instead of just redesigning the kitchen, we started asking a bigger question:
How could the house open up to the backyard and turn the whole area into one connected entertaining space?
Early Ideas
Before jumping into detailed drawings we explored a number of different layout ideas. Some focused on reorganising the kitchen, others looked at introducing a bar area or a butler’s pantry.
We also tested different ways the house could open toward the alfresco and pool.
Not every idea worked. But each iteration helped us understand what the house was capable of becoming.
The Key Design Moves
Several design decisions ended up shaping the final outcome.
Opening the house to the backyard
We replaced the existing openings with large doors and a servery window so the kitchen and dining space could spill directly into the alfresco.
Introducing a butler’s pantry
A hidden scullery sits behind the kitchen, accessed through an arched opening. This allowed the main kitchen to remain clean and social while the mess is tucked away.
Removing structural barriers
A structural beam allowed the kitchen and bar area to remain open without columns interrupting the space.
Creating a real outdoor room
Instead of a small patio, the alfresco became a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and entertaining area with a wood-fired BBQ and generous bench space.
The Layout
The new layout reorganises the kitchen, dining and alfresco areas so they work as one continuous entertaining zone. The island becomes the centre of activity inside, while the outdoor kitchen mirrors this function outside.
The pool hardscape and associated equipment was thoughtfully relocated to increase the practical space to further invite guests to enjoy the full area.
The Result
The finished house feels dramatically different without actually adding much floor area.
Cooking now happens in full view of the backyard, kids can move between the pool and kitchen, and the alfresco has become the main gathering space for family and friends.
What started as a kitchen renovation ended up reshaping how the entire ground floor works.
