Dining area inside Ridge House featuring custom timber joinery, exposed ceiling structure, and a long communal table set beneath filtered natural light.
Dining area inside Ridge House featuring custom timber joinery, exposed ceiling structure, and a long communal table set beneath filtered natural light.
Central living space of Ridge House, anchored by a large timber dining table, concrete flooring, and a double-height ceiling with batten screening and suspended lighting.
Central living space of Ridge House, anchored by a large timber dining table, concrete flooring, and a double-height ceiling with batten screening and suspended lighting.
Open-plan living and dining space with sliding timber doors opening to the rear yard, reinforcing the home’s strong indoor–outdoor connection.
Open-plan living and dining space with sliding timber doors opening to the rear yard, reinforcing the home’s strong indoor–outdoor connection.

The owners of this Queenslander home wanted to transform their tiring rental property into a modern family home to raise their young family. Typical of many original Queenslanders, the dwelling lacked a grounded connection to the outdoors - a place the family wished to spend more time. Views to the large north orientated backyard were only available via an uncovered, non-original deck that was unbearably hot and unusable in summer months.

The owners of this Queenslander home wanted to transform their tiring rental property into a modern family home to raise their young family. Typical of many original Queenslanders, the dwelling lacked a grounded connection to the outdoors - a place the family wished to spend more time. Views to the large north orientated backyard were only available via an uncovered, non-original deck that was unbearably hot and unusable in summer months.

Our proposal included raising and shifting the existing house to allow for an additional level on the ground floor. Utilising the block's natural fall from front to back was key to the initial master planning of the site. A split-level ground floor following the site's contours allowed the traditional proportion of the Queenslander’s street elevation to be maintained while achieving a dramatic double-height space at the rear of the home. This strategy also minimised the need for, and expense of, excessive earthworks and retaining.

The house has been zoned to separate quiet private spaces from noisy living areas. Bedrooms and utility areas are located at the front, while at the rear, large open plan living areas open out to the north orientated backyard and pool, achieving the owners' aspiration of a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

Our proposal included raising and shifting the existing house to allow for an additional level on the ground floor. Utilising the block's natural fall from front to back was key to the initial master planning of the site. A split-level ground floor following the site's contours allowed the traditional proportion of the Queenslander’s street elevation to be maintained while achieving a dramatic double-height space at the rear of the home. This strategy also minimised the need for, and expense of, excessive earthworks and retaining.

The house has been zoned to separate quiet private spaces from noisy living areas. Bedrooms and utility areas are located at the front, while at the rear, large open plan living areas open out to the north orientated backyard and pool, achieving the owners' aspiration of a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

Our proposal included raising and shifting the existing house to allow for an additional level on the ground floor. Utilising the block's natural fall from front to back was key to the initial master planning of the site. A split-level ground floor following the site's contours allowed the traditional proportion of the Queenslander’s street elevation to be maintained while achieving a dramatic double-height space at the rear of the home. This strategy also minimised the need for, and expense of, excessive earthworks and retaining.

The house has been zoned to separate quiet private spaces from noisy living areas. Bedrooms and utility areas are located at the front, while at the rear, large open plan living areas open out to the north orientated backyard and pool, achieving the owners' aspiration of a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

A clear distinction between old and new has been consciously made with regard to materiality and scale of spaces. The ornate Queenslander, respectfully restored to its original condition, is juxtaposed against the new extension's contemporary material selection and considerable expansion of space. At the transition from old to new, a perforated metal bridge bordering the side of a light and airy void delicately connects to the rear facade of the original dwelling.

A clear distinction between old and new has been consciously made with regard to materiality and scale of spaces. The ornate Queenslander, respectfully restored to its original condition, is juxtaposed against the new extension's contemporary material selection and considerable expansion of space. At the transition from old to new, a perforated metal bridge bordering the side of a light and airy void delicately connects to the rear facade of the original dwelling.

Bedroom interior of Ridge House with timber-framed windows, soft furnishings, and filtered daylight overlooking the surrounding suburban landscape.
Bedroom interior of Ridge House with timber-framed windows, soft furnishings, and filtered daylight overlooking the surrounding suburban landscape.
Kitchen detail within Ridge House, with concrete benchtops, timber-framed glazing, and soft daylight shaping the restrained material palette.
Kitchen detail within Ridge House, with concrete benchtops, timber-framed glazing, and soft daylight shaping the restrained material palette.
Double-height interior of Ridge House with exposed ceiling structure, batten screening, and high-level glazing drawing daylight deep into the home.
Double-height interior of Ridge House with exposed ceiling structure, batten screening, and high-level glazing drawing daylight deep into the home.
Central hallway within Ridge House, aligned to the rear garden and reinforcing a strong visual connection through the length of the house.
Central hallway within Ridge House, aligned to the rear garden and reinforcing a strong visual connection through the length of the house.
Stair landing and window detail in Ridge House, where timber stairs and framed glazing connect interior spaces to the landscape beyond.
Stair landing and window detail in Ridge House, where timber stairs and framed glazing connect interior spaces to the landscape beyond.
Upper-level walkway in Ridge House with white batten screening overlooking the double-height living space and timber-lined interior beyond.
Upper-level walkway in Ridge House with white batten screening overlooking the double-height living space and timber-lined interior beyond.
Built-in shelving and joinery detail inside Ridge House, combining timber finishes, open display, and integrated planting to soften the interior.
Built-in shelving and joinery detail inside Ridge House, combining timber finishes, open display, and integrated planting to soften the interior.
Shower enclosure in Ridge House featuring muted tiled finishes, a skylight bringing daylight into the space, and built-in niches for storage.
Shower enclosure in Ridge House featuring muted tiled finishes, a skylight bringing daylight into the space, and built-in niches for storage.
Bathroom vanity within Ridge House with tiled surfaces, an arched mirror opening, and soft natural light filtering through the window.
Bathroom vanity within Ridge House with tiled surfaces, an arched mirror opening, and soft natural light filtering through the window.
Bathroom vanity within Ridge House with tiled surfaces, an arched mirror opening, and soft natural light filtering through the window.
Bathroom vanity within Ridge House with tiled surfaces, an arched mirror opening, and soft natural light filtering through the window.

The owners of this Queenslander home wanted to transform their tiring rental property into a modern family home to raise their young family. Typical of many original Queenslanders, the dwelling lacked a grounded connection to the outdoors - a place the family wished to spend more time. Views to the large north orientated backyard were only available via an uncovered, non-original deck that was unbearably hot and unusable in summer months.

Our proposal included raising and shifting the existing house to allow for an additional level on the ground floor. Utilising the block's natural fall from front to back was key to the initial master planning of the site. A split-level ground floor following the site's contours allowed the traditional proportion of the Queenslander’s street elevation to be maintained while achieving a dramatic double-height space at the rear of the home. This strategy also minimised the need for, and expense of, excessive earthworks and retaining.

The house has been zoned to separate quiet private spaces from noisy living areas. Bedrooms and utility areas are located at the front, while at the rear, large open plan living areas open out to the north orientated backyard and pool, achieving the owners' aspiration of a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

A clear distinction between old and new has been consciously made with regard to materiality and scale of spaces. The ornate Queenslander, respectfully restored to its original condition, is juxtaposed against the new extension's contemporary material selection and considerable expansion of space. At the transition from old to new, a perforated metal bridge bordering the side of a light and airy void delicately connects to the rear facade of the original dwelling.

(Other works)