Brisbane Renovation Architecture (Built 2015)

Owners Dream – Paddington Stunning Views

These homeowners were after a renovation to make the most of their home in inner-city Paddington stunning views. They also dreamed of having a more cohesive home and to incorporate an extra two bathrooms.

Site Condition

The Paddington site was very steep, offering city views from every level. However, these views could only be appreciated from a couple of spots as the room arrangements were disjointed and dark and showcased cluttered detailing. Privacy was an issue as the house side windows looked directly into the neighbours 3m away. The bathroom and guest room opened on to the kitchen, making the house feel quite constrained despite its large size. A lovely pool sat where it couldn’t be viewed from anywhere inside the house. Plus, the homeowners needed two extra bathrooms.

Design Solution

Paddington Stunning Views

PlaceMate left the structural shell and roof of the house the same (to avoid town planning issues) and gutted the main living area. With this empty space we installed a linear kitchen, creating vistas from front to back plus walls for art. A generous outdoor living area was framed by new doors and windows. The top floor grew by four square metres to fit an extra bathroom and windows were rearranged to overlook the pool. The house side windows were closed screened or moved for light with complete privacy. PlaceMate replaced the dingy, colonial ensuite with a light natural resort-style one.

All the surfaces from street to pool were simplified and streamlined to frame rather than detract from the views, and a stainless-steel rod balustrade elegantly echoed the traditional handrails. The house now feels light, open and flowing. PlaceMate designed this house so that every living space and bedroom has either city or water views, and that is exactly how the house came to be.

If you enjoyed this project, check out this Enoggera Modern Pod

 

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Client & Partner Testimonials

For an architect, Jan’s not an idiot.

Dave Maguire Builder

Jan, you did a fantastic job translating our unformed ideas into a classy home, fulfilling all our requirements. We are most impressed that you were able to design such a unique and spacious home on a small block and yet one that blends in with the ambience of the suburb without being ostentatious. Your choice of building materials was inspired and the design incorporating the high ceiling in the living/dining/kitchen area impresses everyone who sees it. We also appreciated your no-nonsense, straightforward, approach to the whole project. Congratulations on a great job

Lola & Ian Binch Owners

Thank you. I didn’t really understand the drawings, but now the house is finished I can see that you took my ideas and suggestions and made them beautiful. Everything is perfect. Every morning I say to my husband, I love this house.

Frank and Vilma de Silva Owners

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

Our Client Success Team

Placemate Architects works with successful and innovative clients. Together we achieve significant and lasting transformations of cities, houses and landscapes.