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A split-level core anchors the layout, borrowing an efficient diagram from commercial architecture. This compact core houses a laundry and powder room on the lower level, a mid-level pantry and fridge, and, at the upper level, a DJ booth—a playful nod to the client’s lifestyle. By centralizing utilities, the surrounding spaces remain unencumbered, fostering flexibility and flow between the renovated cottage and the new extension.
In contrast to the extension, the renovated cottage—now the private quarters—retains its historical charm. Original beams, posts, and ornate trims have been sensitively restored, preserving the home’s character while contrasting with the robust, low-maintenance masonry of the extension. A subdued greyscale colour palette imbues the original timber-clad structure with a sense of contemporary minimalism, achieving a delicate balance between old and new.
In its material honesty and spatial generosity, this modest Brisbane home offers a timeless lesson: constraints, when approached with ingenuity, can become opportunities for exceptional design.