Brisbane Renovation Architecture (Built 2013)
Owner’s Dream
The owners of this beautiful old cottage Queenslander wanted to transform their tired property into a comfortable home to retire in. It needed to compliment the city views as well as have multiple areas for entertaining guests and a backyard pool and garden.
Site Condition
The existing property was a cramped Queenslander cottage located in Brisbane’s southern suburbs. Located on a high ridge, the home featured enclosed verandas on both sides with views to the Taylor Range, Mt Cotton and the city. The cramped style of the property obscured these charming views from inside the house. The previous owner had kept the property for 40 years, but the cottage and once beautiful garden had become worn and outdated.
Architectural Designer Solution
PlaceMate Architects designed a renovation to lift and build under the existing structure. This created room for three new upstairs bedrooms and a spacious ground level. Open-plan living spaces were built in below and the guest area and garages now extend down the hill.
The structural detail of the house was recreated in traditional Queenslander fashion. The main living areas now flow around a central country-style kitchen and traditional crafted detail was thoughtfully included throughout the renovation process.
Project Partners
Builder
Ryan Builders
Certifier
Lynskey Structural Consultants
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Client & Partner Testimonials
My favourite real estate agent said “Your renovations are fabulous, I still think you have best designed kitchen“ I must say I agree with her. I do love my little place and my beautiful kitchen makes me happy every day.
Jenny Doust AshgroveJan, 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 OwnersOur 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.
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.
