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When you’re lucky enough to live in the Sunshine State, having a house that supports the Australian tradition of living outdoors is non-negotiable. There’s a reason Queensland has the most private swimming pools of anywhere in Australia.
The challenge is that Brisbane’s heritage housing stock is often missing this indoor-outdoor connection, and before its renovation, this post-war cottage in Enoggera was a classic example.
‘The home is very typical of the post-war cottages situated on the fringes of the more traditional character homes of Brisbane,’ Leith Architects director Maya Leith says.
‘These modest homes are increasingly being demolished to make way for new builds, but the clients were keen to retain the existing cottage, which was still in good condition and had plenty of potential.’
The owners, a family of five, engaged Leith Architects to transform the house, with a particular focus on improving the lack of connection to the backyard, creating spaces that felt light, open, and generous, without losing the modest scale and character of the original house.
Meeting their goal of minimal intervention, the architects converted the existing structure into the children’s bedroom wing with a rumpus room. Meanwhile, the rear opens to the 113-square-metre extension, containing the main living areas, kitchen, and the parents’ bedroom.
While the new central courtyard and bridge entry mark the connection between old and new, this detail also became an important environmental feature, drawing fresh air and natural light into the house.
The clients’ strong appreciation for mid-century modern architecture was another key influence on the redesign. Choices like the playful pop of green on the rear facade, red bricks, the raked ceilings, and pre-finished cork tiles all bring warmth to the weatherboard, contrasted by the new stainless steel kitchen.
‘The biggest challenge was balancing the clients’ budget with their desire for a unique home containing comfortable, flexible spaces for family life. This meant keeping the extension efficient and making every space work hard,’ Maya adds.
‘The dining room is a good example of this approach. When all of the windows and doors are opened, the room transforms into an external deck space.’
Leith Architects are now about to undertake stage two of the project, involving updates to the original bathroom, installation of a carport, and of course, a pool: ‘It’s an essential addition for Brisbane family life!’
