Mapleton House

The design brief calls for a compact home for a two-person household on a suburban-rural site in Mapleton, perched atop the ridgelines of the Blackall Range. With elevated views towards the distant Mount Ninderry and Mount Coolum, the client seeks to take advantage of this picturesque setting while ensuring the home remains functionally versatile and energy-efficient—all within a modest footprint.

The Traditional Owners of this land, the Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara peoples, have a rich culture and a deep history closely tied to the natural environment. A shared Dreamtime story tells of a feud between two warriors, Ninderry and Coolum, over a girl named Maroochy, who eventually fled to the Blackall Range hinterland, reinforcing deep connections to the land.

There is an opportunity for the design to intuitively respond to this cultural and historical landscape while respecting the neighbourhood and its surroundings. A Methodist church once stood on this site but was demolished in the 1970s. Positioned at the heart of the town’s main street, the site retains a strong public presence and a prominent vantage point. A public staircase adjacent to the side boundary links to the lower residential neighbourhood and is frequently used by schoolchildren and locals.

The main house is strategically sited below street level, allowing passersby to continue enjoying the magnificent views from both the street and the public staircase. Native landscaping around the house enriches the public interface, softening the fenceless boundaries between private and communal spaces.

The stepping platforms of the house accentuate the experience of the sloping site, taking cues from the public staircase. Exterior walls are intentionally angled to align with sightlines towards the mountains, creating a dynamic and playful interior. Living spaces expand towards the view, enhancing a sense of openness, while sleeping and bathing areas contract to evoke intimacy. An outdoor space is embedded within the plan as the primary circulation path, encouraging occupants to engage with the ever-changing outdoor conditions. Large sliding glazed doors on individual platforms allow the occupants to adjust their patterns of use and respond to changing climate conditions. Service cores discreetly conceal daily domestic functions and practical amenities, creating an intricate layering of pathways and spaces.

LOCATION Mapleton, QLD

COMPLETED 2024

CONTRACTOR AMBuild

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Westera Partners

PHOTOGRAPHER David Chatfield