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Houzz Tour: An Acreage Lifestyle on an Inner-City Brisbane Block
This modernist-inspired home is designed for its north-easterly aspect, with flexible spaces for the kids to run around
Kim and Hugh Bridle, owners of Kalka, a Brisbane-based boutique home builder, had worked with Shaun Lockyer Architects on the design of their previous home, so when it came to their next one – their forever home – they called on Lockyer again. “We like that Shaun doesn’t try to use too many materials and overcomplicate the design,” says the couple. “We love modernism and Shaun is very good at designing a home that includes elements from that movement.”
Lockyer describes his approach to architecture as “subtropical-inspired regional modernism”. He draws inspiration from modernist architecture in regions such as South America and South-East Asia, which have similar climatic conditions to Australia. And, like these modernist houses, this house has a concrete-and-timber materials palette and a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living.
Lockyer describes his approach to architecture as “subtropical-inspired regional modernism”. He draws inspiration from modernist architecture in regions such as South America and South-East Asia, which have similar climatic conditions to Australia. And, like these modernist houses, this house has a concrete-and-timber materials palette and a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living.
The house is three storeys with the entrance and garage on the lower-ground floor, where there is also a workshop, wine cellar and gym. Spaces needed to be flexible and multi-purpose for the family’s changing needs.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to design your forever home
Find an architect near you on Houzz to design your forever home
The house is designed in an L-shape to focus on the surrounding landscape and provide each room with a north-easterly view. All living spaces are on the ground floor and adjacent to the large flat lawn where the kids can run around. “Trees needed to be cleared and the land recontoured to utilise the flattest areas of the site,” says Lockyer.
Three children’s bedrooms are arranged together with a games room next door. A swimming pool is in the corner of the L-shaped floor plan where it can be viewed from most rooms.
Three children’s bedrooms are arranged together with a games room next door. A swimming pool is in the corner of the L-shaped floor plan where it can be viewed from most rooms.
The master bedroom and ensuite are on the upper floor with a nursery and rooftop terrace.
Modern or Contemporary Architecture: What’s the Difference?
Modern or Contemporary Architecture: What’s the Difference?
The entrance sets the tone for the house. Seeking a robust and low-maintenance home, the couple wanted extensive use of concrete and timber. “The house draws inspiration from modernist architectural roots, expressed through the juxtaposition of heavy vertical and light horizontal planes,” says Lockyer. “The palette of sand-blasted concrete, timber and natural stone creates a robust, warm and timeless aesthetic.”
Front door: pivoting solid rosewood
Front door: pivoting solid rosewood
The entrance stairs lead up to the ground floor, providing a transition between the lower, more intimate and compressed space to light-filled living areas warmed by timber and enjoying landscape views.
The staircase offers the opportunity to get up close to the texture and beauty of the off-from concrete walls. “You only get once chance with concrete and there was a significant amount of concrete in the job, so it was always a focus to ensure we had consistency of the finish,” says Hugh.
Flooring: ironbark timber
The staircase offers the opportunity to get up close to the texture and beauty of the off-from concrete walls. “You only get once chance with concrete and there was a significant amount of concrete in the job, so it was always a focus to ensure we had consistency of the finish,” says Hugh.
Flooring: ironbark timber
Timber lines the interior of the living, dining and kitchen area, with ironbark on the ceiling, drawing the sense of landscape indoors.
The living, dining and kitchen area is designed like a pavilion with large sliding, retractable glass doors on both sides. They can be fully opened or closed to create a more external or internal feel. “The experience of this space is more akin to being on a verandah than being in a house, which is a deliberate outcome from considering the space in a subtropical context,” says Lockyer.
The living area offers a wide view of the lawn, with high-level louvre windows bringing in light and facilitating cross ventilation. The Bridles can regulate the temperature of the living area by opening and closing the glass door or louvre windows, depending on the season, weather and time of day. “The deep eaves, excellent cross-flow ventilation and a naturally lit home make for a very sustainable long-term proposition,” says Lockyer.
Custom-made dining table; Seb dining chairs: Jardan
Custom-made dining table; Seb dining chairs: Jardan
The kitchen provides a warm backdrop at the end of the dining and living area, with smooth surfaces of grey ironbark-timber veneer.
It is positioned next to the outdoor living area, serving as the fulcrum between the internal and external spaces. “This allows the house to operate within the same hierarchy, irrespective of whether the occupants are inside or outside,” says Lockyer.
The kitchen has a walk-in pantry, there is a laundry and homework area next to it, and a family room behind for a practical family-orientated lifestyle.
The kitchen has a walk-in pantry, there is a laundry and homework area next to it, and a family room behind for a practical family-orientated lifestyle.
The covered outdoor living space is strategically positioned west of the internal living areas in order to maintain the passage of sunlight into the house. It has a lounge, dining area and barbecue, as well as an outdoor fireplace for cooler winter evenings.
External flooring: travertine tiles
External flooring: travertine tiles
The swimming pool provides cool relief on hot Brisbane days, and sits in the corner of the L-shaped floor plan where it’s visible from the kitchen, dining and living area, and adjacent to the games room.
Le Corbusier: The Modernist’s Lasting Influence on Today’s Interiors
Le Corbusier: The Modernist’s Lasting Influence on Today’s Interiors
It receives eastern and northern sun, with the upper level of the house blocking late afternoon sun.
A large retractable sliding door opens to the office, which is positioned between the entrance stairs and living room.
Designed for function, the office features a long built-in desk, pin-board wall, book shelves and plenty of storage. It has a view of the pool and treetops at one end…
…and it looks out to a small landscaped courtyard and the side lawn at the other end.
10 Terrific Trees for Your Courtyard
10 Terrific Trees for Your Courtyard
The guest bedroom is on the other side of the courtyard where a two-sided corner window brings in light and offers views.
A corner banquette seat in the landing offers a light-filled spot for reading in the sun. “It is a strategy of ours to extend transition spaces beyond the pragmatic needs of moving through the house,” says Lockyer.
Similarly, a bookshelf and desk are built into the hallway that provides access to the children’s bedrooms and upstairs.
The master bedroom, ensuite and dressing room are designed as a serene sanctuary for the parents, strategically separated from the children’s bedrooms and living area.
The master bedroom faces east to a private rooftop terrace with treetop views. The ceiling is lined with ironbark timber, and large windows and sliding glass doors wrap around the bedroom to maintain focus and connection with the surrounding landscape.
This is the Bridles’ favourite room. “The aspect is spot-on, hovering over the tennis court and overlooking the city, the rest of the home as well as the block,” says Hugh.
This is the Bridles’ favourite room. “The aspect is spot-on, hovering over the tennis court and overlooking the city, the rest of the home as well as the block,” says Hugh.
The bathroom is also luxurious, with a skylight above and the ever-present view of the trees.
“Our favourite thing about the home is its functionality,” says Kim. “And that every room takes in the north-easterly aspect and views.”
Flooring: travertine tiles
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this stunning Houzz Tour: A Barn-Style Holiday Home Pitches Up in Victoria
“Our favourite thing about the home is its functionality,” says Kim. “And that every room takes in the north-easterly aspect and views.”
Flooring: travertine tiles
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this stunning Houzz Tour: A Barn-Style Holiday Home Pitches Up in Victoria
Who lives here: Kim and Hugh Bridle and their three children aged two, four and seven. Hugh is the director and Kim is the interior designer at Kalka.
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 1,052 square metres; five bedrooms, four bathrooms
Architecture: Shaun Lockyer Architects
Construction: Kalka
The Bridles wanted a home that was suitable for their three children while they are young as well as when they’re older. Located on a large bush block in Brisbane, the house offers an acreage lifestyle and enviable city views. It also takes advantage of the north-easterly aspect.