East Brisbane House is the renovation and slight addition to one of the original workers cottages in East Brisbane. This original plan is still entirely intact above the line of the picture rail, but new work uses intricately detailed cabinetry and sliding openings to push and pull their scale to suit more flexible functions. This layering and operability gives occupants control of a gradient of light quality and ventilation even deep within the plan.
There was a conscious decision to leave the house in its original position just above street level to maintain the character of the street edge. This enables a clear difference in the experience of being upstairs within the old house and being within the new grounded space downstairs. The nostalgic qualities of being under a Queenslander are present here and there is a real sense of the landscape slipping in, under and through the new work.
Built by the architect.
Landscape: Nielsen Jenkins
Photography: Shantanu Starick
2021 AIA QLD State Architecture Awards:
Commendation: Residential: Alterations & Additions
2023 HOUSES Awards:
House Alteration & Addition under 200m2 National Shortlist
Published in Green Magazine November 2023