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Highgate Hill Cottage

Highgate Hill Cottage reinterprets the traditional character house abundant in inner-city Brisbane. The presence of a stormwater easement on the site constrained the buildable area, prompting a ‘lift and build under’ method prevalent in similar houses. The challenging proportions brought about by the lifting process have been reconciled through the adoption of a playful materiality and rhythmic facade, taking cues from the existing pre-1911 workers cottage.

The need for a flexible space with ground-level access was a key to the spatial organisation of the cottage. This space can be used as a home office, or as an additional bedroom for a multi-generational living arrangement, with both requiring separation of access from the public realm. The house’s close relationship to the street is mediated through a timber-screened undercroft space shrouding the building’s front, providing a secure and insect-proof entry point while layering light and views to the outside.

The textural timber exterior cladding was achieved through the use of a black stain, emphasising the wood’s natural variegation. This results in a exterior finish which catches the sunlight, while softly receding in the shade.

LOCATION
Highgate Hill, QLD 

COMPLETED
2022

CONTRACTOR
Greg Thornton Constructions

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Westera Partners

PHOTOGRAPHER
James Hung

Completed
2022
Price to build
$0.5m - $1m
Building style
Contemporary
A rhythmic facade acts to mediate the house's relationship to the street, allowing various gradients of privacy, engagement, and views.⁠
Highgate Hill Cottage’s side facade is articulated with timber studs on the existing upper band, a central horizontal band of textural weatherboard, and a lower band of vertical stud framing, unified with a transparent black stain.
Black stained timber cladding and expressed battens create a muted silhouette for this traditional worker’s cottage, subtly revealing its character and texture throughout the day.⁠
Highgate Hill Cottage
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Part-height joinery elements act to define utility and sleeping spaces in the generous master bedroom suite.
The front verandah’s vertical timber elements are sympathetic with the existing fabric, tying new interventions to the pre-1911 core of the house.
Gentle natural light filters through a timber screened outdoor space, creating a calm and breezy undercroft entry to this inner-city cottage.⁠
Warm white tones foster a calming ambience in the active lower storey of the house, with textured terrazzo and integrated appliances completing the kitchen and butler’s pantry.

About the
Professional

Atelier Chen Hung is an architectural practice with experience in the fields of private residential, multi-residential, retail, commercial and installation projects.

Founded by Melody Chen and James Hung in 2008, the practice is driven by a multidisciplinary approach, where collaboration is encouraged throughout the design and construction process.

A focus on exploring ideas, paired with a pragmatic perspective, has enabled the creation of spaces that are highly refined, memorable and functional.

With core values shaped by individual project briefs, budgets and sites, A–CH works to deliver quality solutions that are responsive to each client and their particular needs.

In 2012, the practice is awarded the Best of State (QLD) Commercial Design and Commendation for Installation Design at the Australian Interior Design Awards.

In 2013, A–CH is the winner of Houses Awards for New House Under 200sqm and received the AIA National Architecture Awards for Small Project Architecture.

Wallpaper Magazine’s 2014 Architects Directory have selected A–CH as one of 20 world’s best young architectural practices.

In 2016, A-CH received two awards in the 2016 NSW Architecture Awards for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) and Sustainable Architecture.

A-CH’s Ocean Shores house has been featured on Grand Designs Australia TV Season 7, Episode 5.

Atelier Chen Hung is an A+ Practice Member of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Atelier Chen Hung
Atelier Chen Hung

Architects