Renovating
Renovation Challenge: The Classic Queenslander
Renovating a Queenslander for contemporary living can create several design problems. Here are 7 common dilemmas and ways to overcome them
Queenslanders are a well-loved Australian housing style. They were originally built in tropical areas, especially in the state of Queensland, and feature wide verandahs, French doors and raised floors. Designed for a warm climate, their light frames are elevated on stumps, and their deep verandahs shelter occupants from heavy summer rains while enabling them to still be outside.
While there are plenty of designers and builders who can create a new reproduction of the traditional Queenslander home, renovating an original is still a very popular choice. However, classic Queenslanders are not without their challenges, which can make them tricky containers for comfortable, modern family life. Here in an outline of the main challenges inherent in renovating a Queenslander, and some sure-fire solutions to deal with them.
While there are plenty of designers and builders who can create a new reproduction of the traditional Queenslander home, renovating an original is still a very popular choice. However, classic Queenslanders are not without their challenges, which can make them tricky containers for comfortable, modern family life. Here in an outline of the main challenges inherent in renovating a Queenslander, and some sure-fire solutions to deal with them.
2. Redundant space
Original Queenslanders are usually not up high enough for the lower floor to be a useful space, or one that meets the minimum requirements for height, according to building standards. Building in under the main house therefore usually requires raising and re-stumping to gain the required head height on the lower floor. Just be mindful that if you choose to go down this route, there can be a raft of unexpected challenges and costs.
SOLUTION: The low-height underfloor spaces in your existing home may still be sufficient for extra space in storage, cellars and car parking, without the unpredictable costs of excavation and rectification work. However, if you have a need for extra space and the budget to achieve it, raising the home and building in underneath can create what you need within the existing footprint of your home.
If your land size is sufficient, you may also consider a pavilion extension instead. This kind of addition can enable you to create new modern space and design it to have the relationship with the garden that you seek.
Original Queenslanders are usually not up high enough for the lower floor to be a useful space, or one that meets the minimum requirements for height, according to building standards. Building in under the main house therefore usually requires raising and re-stumping to gain the required head height on the lower floor. Just be mindful that if you choose to go down this route, there can be a raft of unexpected challenges and costs.
SOLUTION: The low-height underfloor spaces in your existing home may still be sufficient for extra space in storage, cellars and car parking, without the unpredictable costs of excavation and rectification work. However, if you have a need for extra space and the budget to achieve it, raising the home and building in underneath can create what you need within the existing footprint of your home.
If your land size is sufficient, you may also consider a pavilion extension instead. This kind of addition can enable you to create new modern space and design it to have the relationship with the garden that you seek.
3. Draughts
The design for natural ventilation in these homes is ideal for the tropical parts of Queensland. However, in southern climes, life in a Queenslander can get a little chilly in winter. The elevated form and lightweight frames of these homes were designed to release the heat of the day quickly. In cooler climates, heating them is tricky. It can feel like any warmth generated escapes through every gap, and cold air exploits every opportunity to come in.
SOLUTION: Insulate your home properly and seal all gaps. The roof spaces of Queenslanders can be quite simple to retro-fit with insulation. The walls may be a bit trickier due to their construction, but in any new work, include wall insulation in your plan. This will make a big difference to the running costs of your home, as your need for air-conditioning and heating can be significantly reduced.
The design for natural ventilation in these homes is ideal for the tropical parts of Queensland. However, in southern climes, life in a Queenslander can get a little chilly in winter. The elevated form and lightweight frames of these homes were designed to release the heat of the day quickly. In cooler climates, heating them is tricky. It can feel like any warmth generated escapes through every gap, and cold air exploits every opportunity to come in.
SOLUTION: Insulate your home properly and seal all gaps. The roof spaces of Queenslanders can be quite simple to retro-fit with insulation. The walls may be a bit trickier due to their construction, but in any new work, include wall insulation in your plan. This will make a big difference to the running costs of your home, as your need for air-conditioning and heating can be significantly reduced.
4. Dark rooms
Queenslanders often have a wide layout with rooms stacked side by side, and this floor plan can mean dark interior rooms. This can be difficult to modify, because of the structural work required to open up internal spaces to the external walls. Strange, low verandah roofs can also create pokey, narrow areas with low head heights, bringing their own challenges in the overall design and restricting natural light from windows.
SOLUTION: Borrow light from the edges of the house, and funnel it into the middle. One way to do this is to locate your internal stair in the centre of the home, and then position a skylight over it to help sunlight reach the lower floor. Also consider using closed-in verandah spaces for studies or playrooms that are adjacent to children’s bedrooms, or use them for ensuites off adult bedrooms. With smartly positioned windows, you can improve the amount of available light in the adjacent rooms. Re-establishing central hallways is also useful, as you can create long views through the home which helps open up the interior.
The beauty of skylights
Queenslanders often have a wide layout with rooms stacked side by side, and this floor plan can mean dark interior rooms. This can be difficult to modify, because of the structural work required to open up internal spaces to the external walls. Strange, low verandah roofs can also create pokey, narrow areas with low head heights, bringing their own challenges in the overall design and restricting natural light from windows.
SOLUTION: Borrow light from the edges of the house, and funnel it into the middle. One way to do this is to locate your internal stair in the centre of the home, and then position a skylight over it to help sunlight reach the lower floor. Also consider using closed-in verandah spaces for studies or playrooms that are adjacent to children’s bedrooms, or use them for ensuites off adult bedrooms. With smartly positioned windows, you can improve the amount of available light in the adjacent rooms. Re-establishing central hallways is also useful, as you can create long views through the home which helps open up the interior.
The beauty of skylights
5. Poor orientation
In old Queenslanders, living areas were usually arranged at the front of the home and connected to the verandah. These acted as the public ‘face’ of the home and enabled casual interaction with people in the street. This kind of layout ignored the sensibility of orientation, especially in regards to the passage of sunlight throughout the day, which meant that living areas that were south-facing could be cool and dark at the times when they would be used the most.
In contemporary home layouts, certain rooms, especially living areas, are positioned to take full advantage of available sunlight during the day. This helps to heat and cool homes with what’s available for free, and improves the way we live.
SOLUTION: Rearrange the layout of your Queenslander. By understanding how the sun moves across your property, and designing your home to suit its transition throughout the day, you can locate rooms in the best position. Locate living areas to the north or north-east of the house, to allow winter sun to warm them naturally. Original living areas at the front can then be converted into bedrooms.
Provide shade against any unwanted sunlight in summer to reduce the amount of heat entering the home, especially on summer afternoons. This will help your home be comfortable year-round, and reduce your energy bills signficantly.
My Houzz: Verandah Life in a Classic Queenslander
In old Queenslanders, living areas were usually arranged at the front of the home and connected to the verandah. These acted as the public ‘face’ of the home and enabled casual interaction with people in the street. This kind of layout ignored the sensibility of orientation, especially in regards to the passage of sunlight throughout the day, which meant that living areas that were south-facing could be cool and dark at the times when they would be used the most.
In contemporary home layouts, certain rooms, especially living areas, are positioned to take full advantage of available sunlight during the day. This helps to heat and cool homes with what’s available for free, and improves the way we live.
SOLUTION: Rearrange the layout of your Queenslander. By understanding how the sun moves across your property, and designing your home to suit its transition throughout the day, you can locate rooms in the best position. Locate living areas to the north or north-east of the house, to allow winter sun to warm them naturally. Original living areas at the front can then be converted into bedrooms.
Provide shade against any unwanted sunlight in summer to reduce the amount of heat entering the home, especially on summer afternoons. This will help your home be comfortable year-round, and reduce your energy bills signficantly.
My Houzz: Verandah Life in a Classic Queenslander
6. Awkward rear layout
Before services were installed in the streets, septic tanks were often located at the back of a Queenslander, which meant that the toilet and laundry were at the rear of the home to be near the tanks. This can be a challenge when you want to open up the rear of your home as open-plan living and maximise its relationship with the garden.
SOLUTION: Use existing services for new uses. In most suburban locations, the septic tank will often be long gone, as the homes have been connected to council services, however, toilets may still be located at the rear of these houses. With plumbing already in place to take advantage of, consider locating the kitchen at the back of the home instead. This is a great way to open up the back of the home to incorporate an open-plan living area, which can then connect more fully with outdoor areas.
Before services were installed in the streets, septic tanks were often located at the back of a Queenslander, which meant that the toilet and laundry were at the rear of the home to be near the tanks. This can be a challenge when you want to open up the rear of your home as open-plan living and maximise its relationship with the garden.
SOLUTION: Use existing services for new uses. In most suburban locations, the septic tank will often be long gone, as the homes have been connected to council services, however, toilets may still be located at the rear of these houses. With plumbing already in place to take advantage of, consider locating the kitchen at the back of the home instead. This is a great way to open up the back of the home to incorporate an open-plan living area, which can then connect more fully with outdoor areas.
7. Where to put the pool?
A Queenslander’s design can be tricky for a pool. The home’s elevation doesn’t always provide for the kind of free flowing space that one enjoys in a contemporary single-level home. This can be even more challenging to overcome if you are planning on installing a pool. Having the kitchen and living areas upstairs can mean supervision and entertaining during pool use can cause you to be running up and down stairs.
SOLUTION: Connect living areas to your pool for summertime use. Locate your living areas on the lower floor, in direct connection with your garden and pool area. If you can’t or don’t want to re-locate your main living areas downstairs, then perhaps you can fashion a secondary living area there that is designed for summertime use.
You could also locate a kitchenette behind cupboard doors for summer entertaining. Alternatively, you could create a cabana – a covered area out by the pool, with a barbecue and outdoor kitchen.
A Queenslander’s design can be tricky for a pool. The home’s elevation doesn’t always provide for the kind of free flowing space that one enjoys in a contemporary single-level home. This can be even more challenging to overcome if you are planning on installing a pool. Having the kitchen and living areas upstairs can mean supervision and entertaining during pool use can cause you to be running up and down stairs.
SOLUTION: Connect living areas to your pool for summertime use. Locate your living areas on the lower floor, in direct connection with your garden and pool area. If you can’t or don’t want to re-locate your main living areas downstairs, then perhaps you can fashion a secondary living area there that is designed for summertime use.
You could also locate a kitchenette behind cupboard doors for summer entertaining. Alternatively, you could create a cabana – a covered area out by the pool, with a barbecue and outdoor kitchen.
TELL US
Are you renovating your own Queenslander? Tell us about any problems or challenges you’ve come across and the solutions you found to overcome them in the Comments.
MORE
The Queenslander: Beautiful, Enduring and Here to Stay
How to Give a Traditional Queenslander a Modern Makeover
The Enduring Appeal of the Classic Queenslander Verandah
Are you renovating your own Queenslander? Tell us about any problems or challenges you’ve come across and the solutions you found to overcome them in the Comments.
MORE
The Queenslander: Beautiful, Enduring and Here to Stay
How to Give a Traditional Queenslander a Modern Makeover
The Enduring Appeal of the Classic Queenslander Verandah
The most easily identifiable design feature of Queenslanders is that they’re elevated. This was initially done to keep occupants out of floodwaters in the torrential downpours typical in tropical climates, as well as to enable cooling breezes to pass under the floors for ventilation. But living in an elevated home means you’re generally disconnected from the ground level.
Some homeowners say it feels like they have to stop everything, and take a packed lunch with everything they’ll need whenever their children want to play outside. And having little ones regularly navigate stairs can be nerve-racking too.
SOLUTION: To create the sense of living in a one-level home with an open-plan, indoor-outdoor living space, consider locating your new kitchen, living and dining areas on the lower floor to allow for easy access to the outside. This may involve a larger budget though, as you’ll be relocating your kitchen and creating new space downstairs.
However, if you’re planning a large renovation and expanding your floor area, putting the kitchen etc. downstairs may be a worthwhile approach, to get that indoor-outdoor flow that works so well for modern family homes.