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Award-winning Australian interior design, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top designers.

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Architectural Apartment Mid Century Minimalist Family Country Tiny Coastal Victorian Renovated

Small Garden Suburban Garden Country Garden Public Garden Vegetable Garden Coastal Garden

Aboriginal Art Exhibition

Illustration Lighting Interior Design Graphic Design Styling Textiles Furniture Jewellery Photography Craft Floristry Architecture Industrial Design Woodwork Quoted Art Aboriginal Art Ceramics

Lunch Dinner Snacks Salad Vegetarian Breakfast Sweets Gluten Free Drinks Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Fashion Kids Art Ceramics Furniture Gifts Lighting Plants + Flowers Rugs Soft Furnishings In Print Sustainable Design Homewares

Guides Stays

Homes

Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.

Architecture

Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.

Interiors

Award-winning Australian interior design, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top designers.

Gardens

In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.

Creative People

Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.

Art

Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.

Food

Weekly recipes and meal ideas from our favourite cooks, authors and foodies.

Travel

Unique travel destinations, design-led accomodation and day trip ideas in Australia and New Zealand.

On The Market

Climate

News

A Renovated 1930s Home Overlooking Brisbane River

Architecture

Period homes are known for their intricate detailing and craftsmanship, but are often less successful at interacting with the surrounding landscape.

This house in Brisbane’s Indooroopilly by Owen Architecture actively addresses this problem, by introducing not one but two courtyards to the original 1930s property, alongside a new living pavilion. These new additions facilitate a simpler way of living, creating seamless outdoor access, and incredible views across the Brisbane River.

29th January, 2020

The open living pavilion stretches out into the treetops. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Glass reflects the surrounds like a treehouse overlooking the Brisbane River. Steel framed doors and frameless glass by Everingham Wrought Iron. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Panoramic treetop views. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Natural light and shadow contrast in the living space. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Light floods the kitchen and dining space. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Sleek mid-century joinery in the study. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Minimal lines keep the open shelving clean. Photo – Simon Devitt.

The front courtyard connects the two spaces in the living pavilion. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Greenery connects old and new wings of the building. Photo – Simon Devitt.

A serene lap pool is overshadowed by riverside trees. Photo – Simon Devitt.

The 1930s brick and timber facade is maintained. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Amelia Barnes

Wednesday 29th January 2020

The clients were seeking a ‘simple way of living’ including multiple outdoor spaces to entertain family and friends.

The Brisbane Riverbank House in Indooroopilly was designed for the specific requirements of a family with a young daughter. The clients were seeking a ‘simple way of living’, including multiple outdoor spaces to entertain family and friends. Owen Architecture founder Paul Owen says the brief was simply to ‘create a building which creates a relaxed and happy family life, that feels natural in its Australian riverside landscape.’

Paul’s approach to renovating the 1930s timber and brick house was to design a new living pavilion, creating two large courtyards in the process. The riverside courtyard is a level lawn, directly accessible from the kitchen and living rooms, both of which overlook the Brisbane River. In contrast, the front entry courtyard is a large paved area bound by garages housing the owner’s extensive car collection. The main living pavilion links these outdoor spaces to one another, creating Paul’s favourite feature of the property.

Earth-based materials such as brick and terracotta were chosen to suit the property’s riverbank context. These materials flow into the interior spaces also, creating a minimal look that draws the eye out to the beautiful river and lawn views.

Owen Architecture has succeeded in introducing major new works to this site without losing the grace of the existing home. The project has been recognised by multiple awards, including the 2019 Houses Awards for House Alteration and Addition over 200m².

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This new home has everything from smart-home features to solar and an electric car charger, alongside a dreamy outdoor entertaining area!

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This once lacklustre Edwardian cottage has been given new life thanks to a renovation and extension by Architect George Meek, of Studio Meek...

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An Inspiring Photography Exhibition By Catherine Opie Is Coming To Heide

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Find Timeless Timber Furniture At Mark Tuckey’s Workshop Sale

Australian furniture brand Mark Tuckey are holding their biggest clearance sale yet, with up to 60% off!

Sponsored

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Step inside the Northern NSW studio of De Lunedi's Elise Eales, who creates one-off ceramic pieces inspired by her love of Italy's seaside.

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