Reworking the Suburban Plot

Alterations, additions and landscape design in Quinnington, Borrowdale, Harare

This is a residential alterations and additions project in Quinnington, Borrowdale, Harare. The project began with an existing single-storey home and a client brief to unlock the potential of the site by accommodating two dwellings within one residential property.

The challenge was both architectural and regulatory. The client wanted a second dwelling on the same stand, but was facing difficulty navigating the applicable planning and by-law requirements. Tino Architects developed a design and planning strategy that allowed the project to proceed through the second dwelling application route with the City of Harare, which was successfully approved.

Architecturally, the proposal transforms the existing house through a new first-floor addition, contemporary façade upgrades, and a more generous relationship between the home and its outdoor spaces. The upper-level intervention gives the residence a new architectural presence, while the use of natural stone, dark roof forms, large glazing, and clean contemporary lines creates a stronger connection between the old structure and the new addition.

The landscape design plays a central role in the transformation. The pool, garden, terrace, and outdoor living areas are treated as an extension of the home, creating a more resort-like residential environment. The design shifts the property from a conventional suburban house into a layered family compound that supports privacy, shared living, and long-term flexibility.

The project demonstrates how careful design, planning knowledge, and local authority strategy can unlock additional value within an existing residential site. Rather than simply adding more space, the intervention repositions the property as a contemporary dual-dwelling residence shaped around family life, landscape, and future adaptability.