Owner’s dream

A South American-Australian couple wanted an modern house for their two young children on a very tight budget. It had to be unassuming, secure and private from the street, and completely open, light and flowing inside. It had to feel large and clean and minimal with lots of greenery and living spaces around a pool and a large island bench.

The site

A flat small lot in a quiet street in a suburb with many Queenslanders. The back of the house opens to the north. The neighbours are so close, you can almost touch them.

Our design solution

The two-storey home is inspired by nearby Queenslanders and uses standard project home construction, for the best value. The centre of the house flows around a glassy courtyard and open stairs, bringing light, air and lush greenery to all the spaces. The double height alfresco beside the pool, and overlooked by the Master bedroom balcony, feels enormous. Doors and windows are carefully positioned to screen out the neighbours and frame distant city glimpses, creating an illusion of endless space.

A limited neutral palette of materials and textures creates a classic, restful look, while plenty of built-in storage allows the rooms to appear effortlessly tidy.

The project came in on time, and budget.