Ipswich Brisbane Cottage & Pod Extension

1. Owner’s Dream

2. The fault with classic elevated cottages in modern living: there is no flow connecting the living spaces and there is no connection to the backyard. Similarly, this house was impractical and needed a living area that would better suit the needs of its owners. In response, our team worked closely with the clients who were involved in the decision-making process.

4. Site Condition

5. The house, located in Ipswich, was originally a small 1860s cottage that had been extended in segments over the years. The heart of the home, where the foyer was located, is around 160 years old. However, the site hosts a terrace garden to the north, near the Bremer River, but was failing to take advantage of its natural beauty from within the home. Additionally, the clients wanted the renovation to echo the nearby train yard, reflecting on the site’s context and the town’s history.
   

Although the environment was beautiful, the house was not very livable. There was no common space that was large enough to feel comfortable in, and the small rooms did not meet the needs of the homeowners. The clients wanted a renovation that could connect the house to the beautiful environment around it, while also being invisible from the street view.

3. Architectural Designer Solution

5. Working closely with the clients, PlaceMate Architects designed a new back pod extension that included a kitchen, butler’s kitchen, living area, and deck. The room was designed as a shed, with steel and timber detailing that echoed the nearby railway workshop. Subsequently, the deck was designed as an outside room, as an extension of the roofline, taking in the panoramic view of lush greenery, the Bremer River, and the train yard beyond. The small details throughout the extension really looked to warm the home and take full advantage of the lush surroundings, such as the mirrored kitchen splashback and plywood ceilings.

1. Our design solution was all about angles. The clients themselves were involved in the process, making the steel for the clerestory windows and the hooked pole which opens them. As a result, the adjustable function of the clerestory louvres allows for an optimal climate and lends an industrial aesthetic to the design which echoes the local train yard and boating club. We were thrilled when the clients invited us to their house to admire the results of our work. The extension still echoes the existing cottage, and the openness of the space feels light and refreshing. The airflow is perfect for any weather, greatly improving the livability of the house.

Read more about the project here.

Project partners

2. Builder

   RayBuild

4. Certifier

   Integrated Construction Approvals

   www.constructionapprovals.com.au

2. Town Planner

   The Planning Place

   www.theplanningplace.com.au

1. Engineer

   Osborn CE

   www.osbornconsulting.com.au

2. Flood Assessment

   Storm Water Consulting

   stormwaterconsulting.com.au

2. Photography

   Caco Photography

   www.caco.net.au

1. Wet Area Fixtures

   Bathroom Supplies

   bathroomsupplies.net.au

1. Flooring

   Style Group

   www.stylegroup.com.au