Brisbane Queenslander Architecture (Built 2017)
Owner’s Dream – Mitchelton Forever Home Renovation
The owners of the Mitchelton forever home returned to Brisbane to be near family and enjoy the simple pleasures of city life. Their vision was to own a forever home with separate work areas, open spaces to entertain guests and a secret wine cellar. It needed to complement exquisite mantlepieces hand-crafted by Stephen and have a calm, classical Parisian style.
Site Condition
This original Queenslander was built on land that rose steeply from the road. Extended in the ’50s and ’80s, it had been painted in 10 different colours. The layout of the house was cramped with little airflow and a driveway that separated the garden.
Architectural Designer Solution
Mitchelton Forever Home
PlaceMate Architects raised the house 1.5m and designed the interior to open in three directions. This created flow for the city views and fresh air from the expansive rear garden. The main bathroom is centred around a beautifully restored original clawfoot bath. The indoor stairway now boasts a frameless glass corner to capture the exquisite city views.
PlaceMate Architects repositioned the carport on the street frontage and excavated under the house to create space for a new entry, family room, study, guest room and wine cellar. The details throughout the house are symmetrical and balanced, with a pale neutral palette lifted by duck egg blue.
Project Partners
Builder
Stewart Harris
Certifier
Integrated Construction Approvals
www.constructionapprovals.com.au
Engineer
Kelvin Krofton
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Client & Partner Testimonials
We knew we only had one chance to get the look and the acoustics right and the room also needed to work if we ever sold the home.PlaceMate took into account not just the acoustics, but also the aesthetics of the room. We are delighted with their work
Greg & Trish Elgar BrisbaneFor an architect, Jan’s not an idiot.
Dave Maguire 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
