West End Cottage Renovation – Third Generation

West End Cottage Renovation

Owners Dream

This West End cottage renovation has been in the same family for three generations. The owners’ aim is to redesign the main living rooms into an open-plan living space. They hope this will allow natural light in during the day. Also, they will have stunning city views at night. Downstairs, they will double the on-site parking. They will add a bedroom and a sound-proofed music room under the house. The new pool area will house a self-contained guest space and entertainment area. The owners want the renovations to stay true to the original style of the home. Given that three generations of the one family had lived there. 

Site Condition

Located on a small 266 sqm lot in West End Brisbane. The home had been renovated before; multiple times. Once inside the house, the design didn’t flow well from one area to another. The three upstairs bedrooms with pressed metal ceilings clung to the living area. The block was sloping and the home was slightly elevated. Access offered one-car off-street parking on a busy street. 

Architectural designer solution

PlaceMate Architects found this project an exciting challenge. West End has some of the strictest town planning regulations in Brisbane. Council restrictions did not allow the home to be lifted. So the architectural designers built-in under the house instead. In doing so, the property appears to be a one-story structure. Therefore, it does not obstruct the view of the next-door neighbours’ homes. 

Excavating beneath the cottage

The new design included a fully self-contained guest retreat, music room, and internal staircase. The music room is made out of double-glazed, sound-proof material. It can also double as an office. The open-plan style of the lower level offers seamless indoor-outdoor living. As a result, the design flows out to the spa plunge pool in the private front courtyard. 

The lower level now has a staircase.  This helps the clients to achieve their dream. The staircase connects with the upstairs living and the beautiful city views. Plus, the original veranda was reinstated with timber and large glass sliding doors. This brings the light inside. As a result, air flows throughout the whole home.

Project partners – West End cottage renovation

Builder

Antonio Invincible 

https://www.invincibilegroup.com.au/

Certifier

BCA Certifiers

https://bcacertifiers.com.au/

Engineer

Adstructure

https://www.adstructure.com.au/

Photographer

Carole Margand, Caco Photography

https://www.caco.net.au/