Houzz Tour: A Split-Level Home With the Kitchen at its Heart
A cascading design and a variety of living spaces create sanctuary and privacy in this Brisbane renovation
Rebecca Gross
30 April 2020
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
The saying ‘the kitchen is the heart of the home’ couldn’t be more true in this Brisbane house in Queensland. Architecture studio Arcke transformed the former share house into a family home with the kitchen at its centre, and areas for the family to congregate together or to enjoy quiet and solitude.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children aged nine and 12
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 240 square metres with three bedrooms and two bathrooms
Architect: Arcke
“Our client had very fond recollections of family meals, conversations and moments at the dining table,” says Matt Kennedy, architect and principal of Arcke. “We discussed at length the importance of its position in the house, and the simple idea of the kitchen as the heart of the home informed much of the design to the substantial renovation.”
Who lives here: A couple and their two children aged nine and 12
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 240 square metres with three bedrooms and two bathrooms
Architect: Arcke
“Our client had very fond recollections of family meals, conversations and moments at the dining table,” says Matt Kennedy, architect and principal of Arcke. “We discussed at length the importance of its position in the house, and the simple idea of the kitchen as the heart of the home informed much of the design to the substantial renovation.”
The home’s rear exterior after works; the front of the house faces a small side street
The clients were drawn to the lofty position and expansive views of the house, which was built in the early 1900s.
The clients were drawn to the lofty position and expansive views of the house, which was built in the early 1900s.
Located on a steep site, there was a disconnection between the house and the garden and an overall lack of engagement with the site. Arcke added rooms to the back of the house, creating a split-level formation that grounds it to the site and takes advantage of southerly views.
Thinking of renovating? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss your hopes for the project
Thinking of renovating? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss your hopes for the project
The front entrance leads from the street behind the house. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are located towards the street, with a large living room adjacent and a sitting room at the rear. The kitchen/dining area steps half a level down, where it projects over the lawn and has a view of the Brisbane skyline.
“Instead of placing the kitchen either upstairs or downstairs, we settled on the idea of locating the kitchen and dining at the half-level. It was determined in the design that we foster this space for gathering and celebrate its importance,” says Kennedy.
“Instead of placing the kitchen either upstairs or downstairs, we settled on the idea of locating the kitchen and dining at the half-level. It was determined in the design that we foster this space for gathering and celebrate its importance,” says Kennedy.
The upstairs living room receives northern sunlight, making it a more comfortable place in Brisbane winters than during the hot, humid summers. It connects with the street and faces towards a fireplace, while views through the shelving peek at the sitting room on the other side.
“The original fireplace extends the connection between the lower and upper levels, between the front living room, the library, the downstairs living room and the downstairs study,” says Kennedy.
“The original fireplace extends the connection between the lower and upper levels, between the front living room, the library, the downstairs living room and the downstairs study,” says Kennedy.
The relatively compact floor plan necessitated built-in storage for functionality, with birch plywood joinery custom-designed by Arcke.
“Although joinery can be expensive, it is basically cheaper than building more rooms with unspecified purpose; think of the ‘spare room/guestroom’ that becomes storage for more junk. We ask our clients to do an inventory of all their items and we find a home for all their more important possessions,” says Kennedy.
“Although joinery can be expensive, it is basically cheaper than building more rooms with unspecified purpose; think of the ‘spare room/guestroom’ that becomes storage for more junk. We ask our clients to do an inventory of all their items and we find a home for all their more important possessions,” says Kennedy.
The children’s bedrooms are upstairs, where they have a light-filled and bright blue space.
Bathroom tiles: Classic Ceramics
Bathroom tiles: Classic Ceramics
The stairs zigzag from the upper level to the lower level via the kitchen. “Because of the divide between upstairs and downstairs, the space is now equally accessible from upper and lower levels and very much the heart of the house,” says Kennedy.
“We see our role as enriching lives, not only by creating beautiful functional homes, but by challenging conventional ideas about how we live. The location of the kitchen and dining room is an example of this and is central to the original design concept. It is the primary feature and a beautiful space to occupy.”
“We see our role as enriching lives, not only by creating beautiful functional homes, but by challenging conventional ideas about how we live. The location of the kitchen and dining room is an example of this and is central to the original design concept. It is the primary feature and a beautiful space to occupy.”
Positioning the kitchen/dining room half a level lower allowed for a lofty ceiling height and for adjacent rooms to look into and out of this space. Large windows capitalise on the room and slide open to create the sense of an indoor/outdoor room or deck.
“This ambiguous relationship between the interior and exterior allows for improved engagement to the landscaped rear of the site and the uninterrupted vistas beyond,” says Kennedy.
Built-in seating wraps around the edges of the room providing plenty of gathering space for family and friends, and a long kitchen island doubles as the dining table. Australian blackbutt on the kitchen island adds warmth and texture and will form a patina over time.
“This ambiguous relationship between the interior and exterior allows for improved engagement to the landscaped rear of the site and the uninterrupted vistas beyond,” says Kennedy.
Built-in seating wraps around the edges of the room providing plenty of gathering space for family and friends, and a long kitchen island doubles as the dining table. Australian blackbutt on the kitchen island adds warmth and texture and will form a patina over time.
Birch plywood timber on the joinery and ceilings is warm and textured, while stainless steel benchtops and a ceramic splashback offer a contemporary aesthetic. High-level louvres flush out hot air and encourage cross-ventilation.
Another half-level down, the music room and sitting room/library are at the rear of the house facing the garden and view, with a bedroom, bathroom and study located behind.
In contrast to the openness and transparency in the kitchen and dining room, the sitting and living rooms have a more intimate setting. The downstairs sitting room has a fireplace and bookshelf with cosy spaces to recline.
A daybed adjacent to the large window is a cosy spot to take in views of the city.
A deck off the lower sitting room offers an unimpeded view of the city. “We like to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Placement of banquette and window seats are important for the appreciation of these thresholds,” Kennedy says.
Tiled floors keep the house cooler in summer, with energy-efficient under-floor heating keeping them warm in winter.
Tiled floors keep the house cooler in summer, with energy-efficient under-floor heating keeping them warm in winter.
The cascading design of the house continues outdoors where brick stairs and a series of terraces descend to a lawn with seating and a fire pit at the bottom of the site.
“It encourages a sense of curious exploration, together with a way of engaging with all the site,” says Kennedy. “The entire site is now activated. Through a multitude of special spaces, rather than one large gesture, the family of four can find their own spaces to inhabit, while coming together in others. We like to create connection and sanctuary, togetherness and privacy.”
“It encourages a sense of curious exploration, together with a way of engaging with all the site,” says Kennedy. “The entire site is now activated. Through a multitude of special spaces, rather than one large gesture, the family of four can find their own spaces to inhabit, while coming together in others. We like to create connection and sanctuary, togetherness and privacy.”
The laundry is tucked beneath the stairs (essentially below the kitchen). It’s a simple, functional space with birch plywood joinery.
The joinery continues in the study with a wall of shelving, drawing space, cupboards and a desk.
A small private deck off the clients’ master bedroom is a cosy, light-filled space.
The hexagonal tiles are also used in the clients’ ensuite bathroom to add vibrancy and colour to the space.
Hexagonal tiles: Popham Design
Hexagonal tiles: Popham Design
Natural materials are used inside and out to express a sense of warmth and for health and sustainability benefits. With roof sheeting and painted timber cladding, the exterior materials are also a nod to the classic timber-and-tin Queenslander vernacular.
Your turn
What are your favourite features of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
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Your turn
What are your favourite features of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed our last Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this Houzz Tour: Say Hello to this Modern Cuckoo-Clock Edwardian Home
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The images create a bit of an optical illusion, don't they? There is terracing all the way done the slope, it just appears to drop off to nowhere.
Love the kitchen area esp the high ceiling, joinery and built in seating. Love the use of ply throughout
Well done Arcke- the joinery absolutely makes this job