Barlow House

Barlow House, Clayfield is a substantial reconfiguration of an existing double-storey residence in Brisbane. The project focuses on improving spatial clarity and strengthening the connection between the home and both its front and rear gardens.

The original cellular layout is reworked through the relocation of the kitchen, establishing a continuous open-plan living zone that becomes the central organising element of the house. This shift allows daily living spaces to operate with greater openness, flow and connection.

Floor-to-ceiling glazed openings are introduced at both ends of the plan. These interventions extend the interior visually and physically towards the garden edges, positioning the house as a transitional volume between two landscape conditions. Light is drawn deep into the plan, reinforcing the sense of openness throughout the interior.

The reconfigured layout establishes a clear and consistent relationship between inside and outside. Living spaces operate as an intermediary zone, mediating between the front and rear gardens and allowing the home to engage equally with both aspects of the site.

A restrained material palette is used throughout the interior. This approach allows texture, colour and character to be introduced through furnishings, artwork and occupation rather than fixed architectural elements. The result is a calm and adaptable interior environment that supports long-term use.

Externally, a hardwood timber screen and upper-level balcony are introduced to the street façade. These elements provide privacy and solar control while re-establishing a clear architectural presence within the streetscape. The screen also defines a more considered entry condition, balancing openness with enclosure.

The result is a reworked family home that prioritises clarity, light and connection to landscape. Barlow House demonstrates how existing residential structures can be transformed through precise spatial intervention, careful material restraint and a renewed relationship between architecture and garden.