Owners Dream – Wooloowin Small Lot Home
The homeowners came to PlaceMate Architects as they dreamed of a larger family home. They needed more space to live and work in their Wooloowin small lot home, and a soundproof room to watch ice hockey for their family including two boisterous boys.
Site Condition
This cute three-bedroom workers cottage sat on a small block fronting a noisy Wooloowin street was bursting at the seams. Entry was via the back door, past a tiny bathroom. It had no covered outdoor area, no parking, no storage and the kitchen was dark. In a designated character area, it couldn’t be demolished and land was tight.
Design Solution
PlaceMate Architects designed a plan to raise the house, demolishing the bathroom lean-to, and build in ground-level living areas under the existing footprint, including a large alfresco area. The plan was to bring the outside in with large doors and a servery. We opened part of the noisy front verandah as the front entry and stairs. We designed a garage that enclosed a rear courtyard to block street noise. Locate utility areas and garden storage on the southern side yard. PlaceMate Architects designed a carpeted, sound-insulate and wire a media room for full sound. Incorporate a laundry chute and walk-in shower into the upstairs kids’ bathroom. Grant the parents some peace with an ensuite and walk-in robe.
If you enjoyed this project, you should check out Woolloongabba Workers Cottage.
More Images
Client & Partner Testimonials
Jan Hogarth has the wonderful ability to listen and focus on the client’s brief enabling her to present a creative design, making certain to have incorporated the client’s requirements. Good communication is the essence of completing great projects. We feel that Jan’s communication with all parties involved in a project is exceptional; – subcontractors, engineers, the principal contractor, and clients.
Jan always presents herself professionally and deals with any situation calmly and promptly. My company has always enjoyed working on a great number of projects in which we have been jointly involved, several of which have been Award Winning Designs.
Tom Ryan (retired builder) Retired BuilderI 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 Builder
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
