Brisbane Residential New Build Architecture (Built 2019)

Owner’s Dream

Graceville Small Lot Architecture

The owners of this new build wanted to construct a modern home on a minimal budget to raise their young family in. The Graceville small lot architecture structure needs to be unassuming and minimalist. It must offer privacy from the street view. There also needs to be a sense of flow throughout the open-plan home and access to plenty of natural light and fresh air. The vision for the backyard has a large tropical garden, a modern pool and a covered outdoor entertaining space.

Site Condition

This small, flat lot was located in a quiet east Brisbane suburb surrounded by Queenslander homes. The 1950s post-war cottage that had originally been built on the site, had a backyard that opened up to the north. This northern aspect was the jewel of the site. PlaceMate Architects took advantage of this fantastic opportunity to create north-facing living indoor and outdoor living spaces. 

Situated in a flood zone, the architectural design of the site needs to be considerate of the applicable planning and zoning requirements. Neighbouring houses pressed up against the boundary fencing so the design needed to be discreet and private. 

Architectural Designer Solution

Graceville Small Lot Architecture

PlaceMate Architects designed a beautiful two-storey home inspired by the neighbouring Queenslanders. The centre of the house flows around a grassy courtyard and open stairs. This invites light, air and lush greenery to all indoor spaces. 

The master bedroom is situated above the modern outdoor entertaining area, complete with a balcony overlooking the backyard and a large double-height alfresco. 

Sliding glass doors and big windows were carefully positioned to screen out the neighbours and frame distant city glimpses. This creates an illusion of endless space and flows throughout the internal structure. 

A limited neutral palette of materials and textures enhances the minimalist style, and nifty hidden built-in storage compartments help the space appear effortlessly organised.

PlaceMate Architects designed the property with standard home-building procedures to ensure the most cost-effective method of construction. The owners of the property are thrilled with the result of their new forever home. Also, the project came in on-time and within the budget.

 

Project Partners

Builder

Vladamir Cosic – Kustom Homes

www.kustomhomes.com

 

Interior Designer

Tracey McLeod – Showhomes

www.showhomes.design

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Client & Partner Testimonials

Renovating our home with the assistance of Placement and their relationship with Phil Maher Builder was essentially a stress free adventure.

PlaceMate worked with us to achieve our dream home. Our home was modernised without losing the charm of a post war cottage.

Our house has become a functional, open & light filled home. Which is now the central family meeting place.

We even discovered that Architects, Engineers and Builders DO get on and work well together.

Even though our budget was small, through the architectural skills and listening skills, PlaceMate turned our needs into the home we wanted.

Beth & John Owners

Our experience with Placemate Architects was outstanding. They did three
things we appreciated, and nothing we didn’t.

They focused on understanding our needs and what we wanted.

They, Jan specifically, consistently generated creative design options to
assist in the extraordinary number of decisions that need to be made from
the very big to the very small.

And they matched us with exactly the right builder, the excellent Harris
Constructions.

Our decision to work with Placemate Architects meant we got what we wanted,
on time and on budget.

Stephen and Lynne Day New

We engaged Jan and her team at Placemate for our small block renovation in West End, Brisbane. Fantastic result, Jan’s creative genius solved tricky problems related to BCC restrictions and what we were aiming to achieve. Renovation is now finished (Yay!) and throughout the process they were extremely helpful (thanks Amy!), again, jumping in to solve unforeseen technical issues. Everyone who visits always comment on what a clever use of space, thanks Placemate!

Jason Hawkins and Diana Tolmie Owners

Best use of a steep site

PlaceMate topped the state for best use of a sloping site over $250000 at the Queensland Master Builders Association Housing & Construction Awards. The award was for the design of two contemporary townhouses built on a 500sqm site that dropped 10m from a busy road. All the bedrooms and living areas captured picturesque city views.

 

Best renovation $250-$500,000

PlaceMate took home the prize at the Queensland Master Builders Association Housing & Construction Awards for the best renovation between $250,000 – $500,000. The winning renovation was a 1910 cast concrete Californian bungalow-style home in Indooroopilly. The design added a new wing and unified alterations undertaken in 50s, 70s and 80s.

Recognised in The Courier-Mail

PlaceMate’s skills were recognised in The Courier-Mail for our transformation of a Shorncliffe residence originally built around 1910.

Registered with Board of Architects Queensland

Registration Number 2457

Our Client Success Team

Placemate Architects works with successful and innovative clients. Together we achieve significant and lasting transformations of cities, houses and landscapes.