Brisbane Modern Architecture (Built 2020)
Owner’s Dream
Stafford Heights Modern Home
Homeowners Damian and Mirella envisioned a beautiful, large new-build family home in this Stafford Heights modern home. As generous entertainers and parents to three teenagers, they needed a home with a range of spaces for family and friends to be together and share meals, along with spaces to be apart. They wanted their home to be internally spacious and effortlessly functional, but private and unpretentious from the street. It needed to trigger all the senses; integrate the classical elements of earth, air, wood, fire, and water, and feature copper and music.
Some must-have features of the design included: 5 bedrooms, multiple living areas, a home office, space for Nonna to live in the future, dog access, and a pool. A family hobby was doing up old cars so there had to be a five-car garage with a workshop plus street-level parking for daily use and generous storage everywhere.
Site Condition
An outdated 1950s cottage sat on this picturesque property upon a steep hill in Stafford Heights, a suburb of North Brisbane. It captured city views to the southwest plus an expansive outlook from Mount Coottha to Springbrook and the Port of Brisbane to Moreton Bay. The north aspect faces the street, where the owners wanted privacy. The cottage was demolished and replaced with PlaceMate Architects’ modern new build design.
Architectural Designer Solution
Stafford Heights Modern Home
The kitchen is the heart of this home. Indoor and outdoor living spaces flow throughout the home, capturing views from the pool courtyard on the north to the southern panorama. Visitors enter from an attractive narrow side yard leading up to the front door. Here the home pivots towards the main feature of the property – the breathtaking city views.
An open tread staircase and copper-faced feature wall divide the public spaces from private and service areas. These areas include a large laundry complete with a drying deck, a cellar, a data room, and a future media room. There are glimpses of stunning views in all directions as you ascend the stairs. The master suite features a wide picture window with panoramic city views; a luxurious ensuite; a double stacked walk-in-robe; and a private rooftop terrace with a spa. The bathrooms are practical and decorative without being fussy.
The PlaceMate architectural team designed within Brisbane City Council rules for straightforward approval and we collaborated with Rycon Constructions and their preferred consultants. The project came in on time and budget. See more modern home projects,
Project Partners
Builder
Rycon Constructions
www.rycon.com.au
Interior Designer
Elm Interiors
www.elminteriors.com.au
Photographer
Leah Desborough
www.leahdesborough.com
Landscaping
More Images
Client & Partner Testimonials
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 OwnerOur 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.
I have been working with Jan on small and large projects for over 15 years. These ranged from small extensions to very complex projects, one which was awarded the Master Builders best renovation over 250 k and the quality and workmanship award. Working with Jan has always been a pleasure, and despite whatever difficulties a large renovation throws your way, Jan always displays the ability to work though it, providing the best result and a pleasurable working relationship. Jan’s designs are practical, efficient and work for the needs of the client. I can speak for this as Jan designed my home in Camp Hill.
Stewart Harris BuilderBest 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