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A Transformed Queenslander That Celebrates Its Undercroft
Architecture
Bardon Undercroft House is a recently renovated and extended Queenslander by Kieron Gait Architects. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Renovations celebrate the undercroft, introducing a new open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas including a ‘garden room.’ Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The existing timber Queenslander was moved towards the rear of the site and raised to allow a new living platform underneath the house. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The new space enjoys an elevated north facing aspect over the street to the treetops beyond. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The living level encourages the family to live collectively: spaces are connected but separate, each with their own character and outlook, but unified by the rhythm of the exposed structure above. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Concrete floors drift outside to the garden terrace, blurring the lines between the house and landscape. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The new front garden designed by Dan Young Landscape Architect and installed by Sod Design echos the pocket park opposite. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Concrete belongs to the ground while spotted gum timber references the existing house’s hardwood frames and construction. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
‘The idea is that the concrete and timber become part of the garden connected to landscape, whilst the white painted timber and steel infill the void between it and the Queenslander above,’ explains Kieron. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
A blue bathroom conjures feelings of a tropical escape. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The upper level now enjoys an elevated north-facing aspect across the new ‘backyard.’ Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Family life occurs in a breezy, light-filled home with a strong connection to its garden and surrounding neighbourhood. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The garden room embraces the new front yard featuring natural materials in keeping with the surrounding landscape. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The family of six can occupy the house in many ways across the multiple living spaces indoors and out. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
The garden room beneath the existing home. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones
Beneath many Queenslander homes is an ‘undercroft’ typically used for storage and passive cooling.
In this recent Brisbane project, Kieron Gait Architects saw potential to better utilise this space for family living, with an adjoining north-facing garden.
To achieve this, the existing triple-gabled house was moved back 4.5 metres on its Bardon site (about five kilometres north-west of the CBD). ‘This was a somewhat brave move by the owner, as it presents the family and garden to the street,’ say the architects.
The original rooms were all completely retained, but raised 1.5 metres to allow for a new liveable storey underneath.
Subsequent renovations celebrate the undercroft, introducing new kitchen, dining, and living areas including a ‘garden room.’
This indoor-outdoor space embraces the home’s new front yard designed by Dan Young Landscape Architect and installed by Sod Design featuring natural materials, in keeping with the surrounding landscape.
Concrete forms a cool slab beneath the house, while spotted gum timber references the existing home’s hardwood frames and construction, complemented by contemporary white painted steel.
‘The idea is that the concrete and timber become part of the garden, connected to landscape, whilst the white painted timber and steel infill the void between it and the Queenslander above,’ explains Kieron.
Each room has its own character and outlook, unified by the rhythm of the exposed structure above.
Upstairs, the original house becomes a private retreat containing the bedrooms and additional quiet living spaces.
Large operable doors and windows to the east naturally ventilate the home. Combined with the thermal mass of the concrete floor and aspect, Kieron says it’s a comfortable space to be in year round.
‘Living has moved from the insular, raised house to the garden, [facilitating] daily life in an open and light-filled family home. The original house is still respected, used and restored.’
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