New build on a rear access allotment behind an existing pre-war house. The new house is built around an existing pool on a raised pad.

The house was originally designed for a young family and also the builder.

The brief being was simple, a livable and low-maintenance house that focused on socialising and entertainment.

The clients found the site in Wavell Heights (Brisbane, QLD) with an existing cottage located close to the street with a large setback to the rear (northern facing) boundary, ideal for subdividing for a new build at the rear.

Once subdivided, we were left with two pad levels to work with as the rear section of the site was raised with an exiting pool. The new house was to be designed split level and around an existing pool. Although an unorthodox floor plan, we were able to incorporate 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, gym, office, bar and triple garage without creating a visually large house.The existing elements of the site and access (along the new driveway easement and along with the existing house) were the main drivers of the program. The clients' focused on large open plan living and entertainment spaces addressing the existing pool, separation to the private bedroom spaces and a large garage. 

This produced a simple and logical solution to the allocation of spaces: public spaces on the existing raised pool pad, garage, and services on ground level with the private rooms above the services, separate from the living, connected via the concrete and timber entry stair element. The house itself is almost completely hidden from the street however the black driveway, entry gate, and street signage denote its own section of streetscape contrasting from the neighbors that draw attention down the long access driveway to the two-storey weatherboard and timber clad form of the gym and guest bedroom above. 

In full view of the house, you're met with two white triangular forms hinged together by a black central corner with a small section of glazing identifying the entry. The garage doors are finished in the same painted cedar cladding integrated seamlessly with the external walls. On entry it's evident that the simple external material pallet has continued internally with the introduction of concrete, made clear with the full width formed entry stair and ledges that direct you to the internal living spaces and the external living spaces. The concrete stairs and burnished concrete floors throughout are complimented with the Tasmanian Oak stair & balustrade details. Expanses of glazing utilise the North-South orientation of the living, dining, & kitchen areas providing a pleasant wash of natural light and good passive cooling. The kitchen addresses the dining and hides a walk-in pantry and a separate bar hiding a powder room addresses the existing gazebo & pool. Upstairs are the private spaces consisting of four bedrooms and a separate lounge, with the master bedroom with a large walk-through ensuite and wrap-around robe. Below are the services; laundry, an office or store space, a gym, and a three-car garage.

Internally, materiality was to compliment the simplicity of the architecture externally and were to be low maintenance and cost-effective resulting in a combination of concrete, timber, white surfaces with accents of gold. Burnished concrete floors on the lower levels and a durable wool carpet on the upper level. A predominately white pallet for the kitchen and bar joinery is complimented with gold elements and fixtures. The master ensuite caries these details through with the exception of dark full height tiles for the twin shower room.

Site Area 

622SQM

Awards

QLD - 2019 Master Builders Awards: Individual Home $551,000 - $650,000

Photography: Andy Macpherson