The renovation and extension of Clayfield House introduces a suite of contemporary spaces to an historic Brisbane residence. The interior has been cleverly re-ordered to give the social spaces of the home, particularly the kitchen, dining and sitting room, a garden outlook and an adjacency to a new outdoor room positioned at the back of the house.

The outdoor room defines the rear elevation, creating a striking enclosure forged in dark stained timber. Between the lawn and raised deck, timber terraces create a playful edge and an informal sitting area that invites occupation of the garden. Pivoting screens manage privacy and shade to the sides whilst contributing to its visually animated form.

Key to the project’s success is the way interior rooms and spaces enjoy improved connections to one another and to the exterior landscape. Particular attention has been paid to maintaining spatial diversity and creating a variety of rooms where small and large groups can come together, both inside and out. Wherever possible the historic character of the house is celebrated. On the exterior, original weatherboards are deliberately expressed in white in contrast to the contemporary steel in black.