Architecture

A Contemporary Take On A Classic Queenslander

We must admit we have a soft spot for heritage homes on TDF, but it’s so exciting to see a new-build unexpectedly sweep us off our feet!

The Yeronga House designed by Lisa Breeze Architect is a modern take on a classic Queenslander. Working closely with the clients, Lisa was able to overcome tricky planning regulations to create a robust yet restrained home, with views across Brisbane. 

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
Supports The Design Files

Yeronga House by Lisa Breeze Architect is a modern interpretation of a classic Queenslander. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar. Garden design – Steven Clegg Design. 

The architect says the surrounding greenery grows so big it could feed dinosaurs! Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar. Garden design – Steven Clegg Design. 

External whites are painted with Dulux Colorbond Surfmist and dark greys with Dulux Colorbond Monument. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar. Garden design – Steven Clegg Design. 

The clever design frames views of the Brisbane skyline.  Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

This project was the first to be designed by Lisa’s architecture practice. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

Multiple levels were created throughout the home along with pitched ceilings to provide internal volume without excessive height. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

Grey joinery in the home is painted in Dulux’s Milton Moon. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

Walls and ceilings throughout are painted with Dulux Natural White. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

This home was designed for friends of the architect, and it is one of her proudest achievements. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

The kitchen and living areas are positioned on the middle layer of the home, while the sleep and play zones are located on their own floors. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

The materials palette is deliberately simple, incorporating a variety of textures wherever possible. Photo – Cathy Schusler. Styling – Jacqueline Kaytar.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
28th of August 2019

The creation of the Yeronga House presented a blank canvas in every sense of the word. Not only was the project a new-build, it was also the first project to be designed by Lisa Breeze’s architecture practice, and intended for a family with two recently born sons. 

Lisa was actually first engaged for the project back in 2012, but it took a number of years before getting the home off the ground (literally), while the owners started a family and kicked various career goals.

‘Because of this, the brief changed from ‘we’d like to live in a house’ to ‘we’d like to live in a house, and it now needs to be a luxe yet low-maintenance family home for us and our two young boys’, recalls Lisa. 

While elements of the design changed along the way to accommodate the growing family, there was a consistent desire to frame views of the Brisbane skyline. Achieving this was one of the most challenging parts of the project due to strict height regulations in the area and the nature of the site.  

‘It is skinny and irregular in shape, and slopes steeply in two directions,’ says Lisa. ‘The challenge then becomes fitting the spaces in, working the circulation, and ensuring connections to the outside are practical, all while avoiding excessive height and bulk.’ 

Lisa’s approach to overcoming these issues was to create multiple levels throughout the home, along with pitched ceilings that provide internal volume without excessive height. The kitchen and living areas are positioned on the middle layer of the home, while the sleep and play zones are located on their own floors. ‘This helps define open-plan living spaces and alters the perspective as you move through the home,’ says Lisa. ‘Everyone in the family has their place for retreat.’

In keeping with the home’s context, historic Queenslanders were an obvious design influence from the outset. ‘It’s probably a cliche, but the historic Queenslanders are a really important reference point for design in this climate,’ Lisa explains. ‘Verandahs, eaves, screens, and outdoor spaces serve a very specific purpose for Brisbane living.’ Another classic Queensland element is the surrounding subtropical greenery, which Lisa says grows so big it could feed dinosaurs!

The external material palette was kept classic and simple. Aluminium cladding with a horizontal pattern (a subtle reference to the weatherboard facade of traditional Queenslanders), and composite battens (that offer the benefits of timber without the maintenance) consolidate the design.

Lisa has been fortunate to enjoy this home after its completion when visiting the clients, who are old friends. ‘Their home launched my practice, and is one of my proudest achievements,’ she says. ‘Architect ‘Aunty Lease’, as I’m known in these parts, always has a home away from home when she travels up North!’

Recent Architecture