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New Residence, Gem Road, Kenmore, Brisbane
with Open Architecture Studio
OAS has completed a number of public schools with FKG, an exceptional partnership that also yielded valued friendships! A regular FKG project manager approached Open to design a new residence for him and his family, with Chapman Leijenaar taking the reigns in developing the design with Michael Bailey.
The residence is situated on a hillside site that overlooks Mount Coo-tha to the northwest. That aspect presented our greatest challenge: taking in the view while protecting the interiors from western sun and the related heat gain. Two of three blade walls (one along the western boundary and a second running diagonally along the east wing's western side) addresses this challenge, being perforated with manageable picture windows where fully exposed and provided with substantial roof overhangs and screening where fully glazed.
Entry is at the upper level, with the second level tucked in underneath as dictated by the substantial gradient. On arrival the residence appears quite modest as a result. The east and west wings straddle the central stair hall, a trapezoidal shaped double volume space that, at first, affords only a narrow glimpse of the view, gradually opening up to an unobstructed view as one descends the stair. The lower ground floor extends to the eastern boundary wall, via extensive sliding doors, into a unique outside kitchen and ding area. Elsewhere the living spaces terraces seamlessly down into the gardens.
The materials palette uses neutral colours to achieve a cool, calming atmosphere. Aluminium frames and steelwork is in a darker colour for contrast and punctuation. Materials were selected to be extremely hardwearing and low maintenance. All exterior claddings are either powder coated or prefinished.
This project is currently under construction, so keep an eye out on our Facebook page for progress photos...
Services Provided:
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Full Architectural Services
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Winchcombe Carson Woolstore, Tenerife, Brisbane
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The Brisbane suburb of Tenerife is home to a number of historic wool stores, all of which were repurposed as apartments and commercial offices in the 80's and 90's. ChapmanAMD was commissioned to update the interior of a three bedroom ground floor apartment in the iconic Winchcombe Carson building.
The existing interior fitout covered all of the historic fabric, with only the window frames giving clues to the building in which it is contained. The proposed design employs a fundamentally different approach in which the historic fabric is revealed and new materials are selected to reference and complement it.
Blackbutt was selected as a feature material specifically for its colour, being similar to the characteristic brickwork of the building. This timber is generously applied along the southern side of the apartment, encapsulating a bedroom, laundry and bathroom, and then dissolving into the kitchen and living area cabinetry and wall linings - the resulting finely detailed timber element, which appears to be inserted into the old building, is juxtaposed with the roughness of the revealed original fabric.
Timber flooring is removed and the concrete slab underneath (this past of the building originally served as a loading dock) is polished and sealed. Plasterboard linings are removed from structural columns to reveal their original painted concrete surfaces. White washed brickwork along the north side is retained and expanded.
Lighting is a critical aspect of the design, not only emphasising conceptual elements, but providing calming ambient lighting to this urban retreat.
The intended result is an interior that is respectful and reflective of its historic shell.
Services Provided:
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Full Architectural Services
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Townhouse Development, Camp Hill, Brisbane
with ADA
The brief for this sloping and flood affected site in Camp Hill is to preposition the existing "Queenslander", convert and expand it into two 3 bedroom townhouses, and add a further three 3 bed townhouses behind it. In order to fast track planning approval the Client requested a code accessible solution and RiskSmart submission.
The existing house is dated pre 1942, triggering heritage and neighbourhood character planning constraints. All the original building fabric forward of the roof ridge line is to be retained, and post 1942 elements may be removed. The existing house is raised and two stories are inserted below, the lowest being semi-basement garages. A second three level unit, of same proportions, is attached to the east side of the existing house, resulting in a seamless character facade of similar proportions to other houses in the immediate vicinity.
The new townhouses to the rear (south side) of the site benefits from fronting onto a public park and creek. Overland flow of the creek during flood conditions encroaches the southern boundary and this required careful consideration when developing the levels and structures.
The new buildings make subtle reference to the existing house through the use of a combination of horizontal and vertical board-textured cladding, and by using a matching roof pitch. Window frame modulation also follows the proportions of those in the existing building.
The development will maintain the architectural scale and character of the street, and the new buildings will form a respectful backdrop to the original character house.
Services Provided:
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Conceptual design and design development
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Continuing with full architectural services, with completion due mid 2026
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with ADA
The brief for this sloping site in Greenslopes is to preposition the existing "Queenslander", convert it into a 4 bed townhouse, and add a further three 3 bed townhouses behind it. In order to fast track planning approval the Client requested a code accessible solution and RiskSmart submission. The two story height restriction proved the most difficult challenge.
The existing house is dated pre 1942, triggering heritage and neighbourhood character planning constraints. All the original building fabric forward of the roof ridge line is to be retained, and post 1942 elements may be removed. Colonial architect Charles Tiffin started to apply structure externally in order to provide smooth surfaced internal spaces, and characteristically painted the external structure and boarding in contrasting colours (giving an appearance similar to English timber frame and masonry infill buildings). The existing house is a good example of this, and from the onset it was proposed to use contrasting colours to emphasise the external structure.
The existing house is raised and an extensive lower story inserted. Its original veranda is relieved of post 1942 fibro board and glass infill, and the original structure and balustrading again revealed. Though internally completely gutted and re-planned, the spatial organisation is again arranged along a central circulation spine, as is characteristic of Queenslanders. Natural ventilation will now rise vertically via a stair well and out via aft-facing roof lights.
Similarly, the layouts of the new townhouses are arranged around a compounded staircase, again serving as a ventilation riser that also allow natural light to penetrate down via roof lights. All three were carefully massed and positioned to afford city skyline views, and living areas optimally located on the second floor.
The new buildings make subtle reference to the existing house through the use of a combination of horizontal and vertical board-textured cladding, through the detailing of patio roof structure to reflect that of the existing veranda, and by using a matching roof pitch. Window frame modulation also follows the proportions of those in the existing building.
The development will maintain the architectural scale and character of the street, and the new buildings will form a respectful backdrop to the original character house.
Services Provided:
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Conceptual design and design development
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Continuing with full architectural services, with completion due min 2026
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Townhouse Development, Greenslopes, Brisbane
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Residence Cannon, Cannon Rocks, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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Residence Cannon is designed for a game ranger and will be constructed in three phases that will eventually consist of two parallel buildings, enclosing a courtyard containing small wildlife rehabilitation pens.
Phase 1 and 2 will see the construction of the northern wing, containing two one bedroom cottages and a vehicle and equipment garage. This building is set against the street, immediately enclosing the remainder of the stand. One cottage will accommodate a safari office, and the other will serve as the rangers’ temporary accommodation, converting to student ranger and guest accommodation following completion of phase 3.
Phase 3 will see construction of the game rangers’ main residence, a two bedroom dwelling that will also accommodate tour and student groups for briefing sessions.
Services Provided:
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Full architectural services
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Trainspotting House, Sandgate, Brisbane
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Home to a railway enthusiast, and appropriately situated adjacent to the Sandgate suburban railway line, the design appropriately references rail in its "signal box" addition and rhythmic detailing. Its new study/project room would serve as trainspotting perch to the passing trains, yet its living spaces had to be sufficiently screened from both rail line and street.
The modest existing post 1946 "Queenslander" house, and in particular its proportions and roof form, would serve as direct generator of the new addition, literally through the extension of its lines and forms. As new habitable spaces had to be raised above the 100 year flood line, doing so regardless of the resulting level changes became a challenging and rewarding exercise.
Apart from revitalising the existing house, the new work will add a new entrance, living/reading room, project room, master suite and double carport. An above ground pool, added amenity, and the privacy to the existing veranda improved by adding a timber slat screen.
The interiors of the new addition celebrates the timber frame nature of local domestic architecture by exposing it.
Services Provided:
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Concept development and schematic design
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