From the street, many of these homes give little away. But inside, old meets new in dramatic fashion.
Behind restored Federation facades, Victorian terraces and Californian bungalows, a growing number of Australian renovations are embracing what has become known as the “mullet house” — heritage character at the front, contemporary living at the back.
Bryant Alsop’s Glenmorgan House keeps its original facade, with a light-filled rear extension designed around a courtyard and soaring ceilings. Picture: Dylan James
The nickname references the mullet haircut’s “business in the front, party in the back” reputation, but the architectural approach itself encourages homeowners to rethink how heritage and modern can work together.
Rather than demolishing older homes entirely, homeowners are increasingly retaining original street-facing features while transforming the rear into light-filled spaces better suited to modern family life.
How architects are modelling the Mullet
The project preserved the home’s Federation frontage while introducing a contemporary rear addition defined by textured brickwork and vertical cladding.
Instead of copying the original home, the extension was designed to feel connected through subtle material references and proportion.
According to Blank Canvas Architects, the new rear volume was created to support everyday family living while maintaining a clear transition between eras.
“It’s gabled, light filled volume supports cooking, gathering, and everyday family life, creating a clear but harmonious shift from old to new,” the studio said.
That same balance between preservation and contemporary functionality can be seen in Hug House by FIGR Architecture Studio.
The original heritage section was carefully restored and adapted to accommodate bedrooms and utility spaces, while the new addition introduces larger living areas wrapped around a central courtyard.
Sliding doors open entire sections of the home to the outdoors, while timber finishes, vaulted ceilings and framed views into surrounding treetops soften the transition between architecture and landscape.
For some projects, landscaping becomes just as important as the building itself.
Brcar Morony Architecture's Mr Robin and Mrs Rose blends heritage charm at the front with expansive modern living spaces hidden from the street. Picture: Justin Alexander
At Mr Robin and Mrs Rose by Brcar Morony Architecture, the rear addition was designed to sit quietly within the garden setting rather than compete with it.
Large openings frame established trees and greenery, while the experience of the home shifts from enclosed heritage rooms at the front to expansive contemporary living spaces concealed from the street.
Light has also become a defining feature in many of these renovations, particularly in older homes originally designed with smaller rooms and limited natural ventilation.
Bryant Alsop’s Glenmorgan House reworked a Californian bungalow in Melbourne’s inner north into a brighter single-level home centred around gardens and a glazed breezeway.
While the original facade was retained, the rear was redesigned to maximise northern light through courtyard planning, cathedral ceilings and high-level windows that draw sunlight deep into the home.
Character homes in established suburbs often offer period detail, mature streetscapes and sought-after locations, but they can also come with layouts that no longer suit contemporary living.
Rear additions allow owners to preserve the elements they love while introducing larger kitchens, flexible living zones and stronger connections to outdoor areas.
That balance is evident in Moncur House by Modify Homes, where a Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Woollahra was transformed into a contemporary city retreat.
The front of the home retained its original detailing, while the rear was opened into expansive kitchen, dining and living spaces connected to a central courtyard.
According to Modify Homes, extending the rear across the width of the site allowed for more generous communal areas and improved natural light throughout the home.
“This area forms the heart of the home, complete with underfloor heating and improved natural light through the introduction of a full-length skylight,” the builder said.
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