Kent is a contemporary addition to a 1925 Queenslander. Nestled onto Teneriffe hill, in the riverside peninsula of New Farm, Brisbane, the site slopes steeply to the west, away from the street to a surprisingly quiet leafy garden, fringed with palms.

Located on a small lot, the cottage is in close proximity to neighbouring houses (some 400mm on one side and 800mm on the other) The elevation however affords excellent cross ventilation from the north, district hill views to the south and presents a discreet, small scale (single storey) cottage façade to the street, which somewhat belies the significant extension to the rear.

Following the fall of the hill, the floor levels sit against the contours to create surprising height beneath the Queenslander.

Separated from the street by a bridge, as the landscape falls away beneath it. The southern boundary is defined by an existing stone convict wall whilst the north-western edge is defined by a private laneway (an easement shared by 5 neighbours) and an existing clump of banana trees.

The brief was for a dynamic, private home filled with natural light, texture and interest.

With close proximity to neighbouring houses, privacy and outlook is limited to the north & south. Our concept centred around the creation of a captivating internal focus in the form of a central courtyard that would improve daylight, cross ventilation and assist in providing sheltered respite on the westerly facing block.

The courtyard acts as a separation device to respect and maintain integrity of the existing cottage which is legible throughout. It also reinforces the language of the queenslander “undercroft” bringing the landscape in and through the house & provides a welcome calm retreat to the street above.

The west facing rear garden orientation could provide a challenge for managing heat gain, but the design of the plan is responsive, following the fall of the site to provide higher ceilings, internal voids and operable walls that capture breezes & provide a cool expansive under croft to the existing cottage.

Functionally the building is flexible and responsive, thermally it is adaptive also. Funnelling breezes up the hill and through the house on hot summer days, but providing warmth and intimacy for the cooler months.

The house is a family home. With a large family around the world, so often family would be staying for extended periods of time. The Clients wanted the house to provide a private retreat for themselves immediately but also for friends and family that would come to stay.

Being playful with the brief and the interior, the clients wanted the space to feel calming and strike a balance between open & intimate. They also wanted to make best use of the incredible sub-tropical climate of Southeast Queensland; essentially opening up the entire ground floor footprint to garden and courtyards to fully engage with the landscape from a place of cool, shady respite.

The interiors have rich textural references to the tropics, a palate of hardwood, concrete and bluestone, speak to laid back Sri Lankan or Singaporean architecture that the clients both enjoy.