It marks the first residential project between the clients and the design team, building on an established working relationship in the commercial sphere. With the clients having lived directly opposite the site for years, the brief carried a rare depth of familiarity, shaped by daily observation and a quiet sense of what the place could become.

The block sits one street back from the Brisbane River, within a streetscape where traditional timber houses meet contemporary additions. In response, the home adopts a language of tropical brutalism, anchored by off-form concrete and tempered through landscape and material warmth. The architecture is deliberately calibrated for climate, prioritising shade, airflow and a distinctly Queensland approach to living outward.

Planned for a family of five, the home is organised around a central pool and lawn that acts as the project’s compositional core. From this centre, the building wraps protectively, creating distinct zones for entertaining, retreat and play while maintaining constant visual and physical connection to the outdoors. A contemporary reinterpretation of the wraparound balcony extends this sensibility, allowing rooms to open outward for cross-ventilation, shading and easy movement between inside and out.

The ground floor forms the social heart of the house. Kitchen, dining and living spaces flow into a highly articulated garden room designed as a true indoor–outdoor environment, opening on three sides to the landscape. Travertine flooring continues from exterior to interior to soften thresholds, while a concealed bar and fireplace support seasonal shifts, from summer gathering to winter evenings. A media room, wine cellar, office and guest suite complete the level, balancing hospitality with everyday function. Above, the main bedroom is positioned apart from the children’s wing for privacy, and a rooftop terrace draws the eye outward to sunset views toward the river. Below, a lower-ground level accommodates garaging alongside a dedicated wellness centre, reinforcing the home’s focus on long-term, day-to-day living.