Birdwood
House in Brisbane, Australia
2025
. . . .
The house takes the form of a series of objects and volumes which emerge from the steep terrain. Moving between the various parts reveals different qualities of the spaces and the landscape.
A large volume to the rear is wrapped in tall reclaimed brick lattice-work, variously frayed and edited to allow a play of light to the interior.
At the beginning of the project many brick and terracotta pieces were salvaged from a discontinued local brickworks. Much of the stock were refractory clay pieces or ceramics used in metallurgy. These unique pieces were worked into the house as external walls, columns, tiling, and paving.
In the main room a library formed entirely of joinery is suspended from the roof and houses the client’s collection of history books. A stepped roof-light filters sunlight overhead. The library seeks to balance the intimate act of study with long views across the landscape and city. Outside to the rear is a large external terrace, leading to the pond-like pool which rises up out of the terrain as a self-supporting cylinder.
The house explores ideas about materials reuse, multi-generational occupation, and subtropical living. It includes a significant photovoltaic array, recycled roof ballast, large rainwater tanks, recycled hardwood ceilings, high thermal mass, avoidance of plastics, paint and myriad unnecessary finishes and fittings, and a small pool for relief from the subtropical heat. A level ground floor, simple lift and accessible WC is supportive of older and less able family members.
Photography
Rory Gardiner
Thanks
Jessica Spresser, Kento Nagao, Shane Norton
Publications
