Owners Dream – 1920s Chelmer Classic Queenslander

The owners of this 1920s Chelmer classic Queenslander wanted to restore the original home style. As a result, they imagined a spacious house with lasting value for the family rooms. The design included spaces for art, music and, family entertaining. Once completed, the architect-designed house and its grounds reflect the owner’s love of art, music, tennis, and entertaining.

Site Condition

The 1920s Queenslander house had undergone three rounds of renovations over the years. Each new addition added a new layer and the overall layout was disconnected. There was limited flow between the indoor living areas and outdoor garden spaces.

Design Solution

The design proposed by PlaceMate Architects’ repositioned the house. As a result, the home was moved forward to accommodate a new tennis court at the rear of the property. In addition, a spacious veranda was built upstairs to tie the design together. The traditional internal stairwell became the heart of the house. Downstairs, multiple contemporary living areas hugged the stairwell. The design connected the inside of the home with the garden and outdoor spaces.

Chelmer Classic Queenslander

it is important to reflect the design of the classic white Georgian style of the original Queenslander house. The new design included thoughtfully chosen colours and materials added during the build. It is an example of the Queenslander house styles found in the suburb of Chelmer. Chelmer is a middle ring suburb on the Brisbane River. It has many fine Queenslander house styles. The homes that have wooden verandahs, wide stairways, and iron roofs reflect the classic Queenslander house style.

Should you stay or should you go? PlaceMate’s Principal Architect Jan Hogarth understands what it takes to help you make this critical decision. With over 1,000 Brisbane home renovations and new builds in her portfolio, Jan will help you decide whether the stay, renovate or relocate. 

Photography: Caco Photography

More Images

Client & Partner Testimonials

Builders build, tradies trade, but the architect has the vision and ideas. Thanks Jan for your wonderful suggestions.

Stephen Stone Owner

Jan, you did a fantastic job translating our unformed ideas into a classy home, fulfilling all our requirements. We are most impressed that you were able to design such a unique and spacious home on a small block and yet one that blends in with the ambience of the suburb without being ostentatious. Your choice of building materials was inspired and the design incorporating the high ceiling in the living/dining/kitchen area impresses everyone who sees it. We also appreciated your no-nonsense, straightforward, approach to the whole project. Congratulations on a great job

Lola & Ian Binch Owners

PlaceMate Architects made my house into a home – my home. It’s the little things about this space that make it mine. From the display cabinet in main entrance to the pink hatch I requested in the bathroom, this space has been transformed to suit my needs. The team came up with suggestions that they presented in a way that was easy to visualise. The process was quick, the communication was clear, and their imagination was invaluable.  

Alaska Montford Owner

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.