Hearth and Home—Reusing Materials in Brisbane Knockdown Rebuild

After cycling past this site on numerous occasions, the clients were drawn to something in this house which prompted them to enlist Arcke to explore renovation or reconstruction options. “Our approach to research always involves preserving what we can and leverag[ing] the existing footprint,” noted Arcke’s director, Matt Kennedy. Initial assessments uncovered extensive flood and termite damage, requiring the difficult choice to rebuild.

Understanding that this project required a rebuild, Matt began by asking how the original mid-century house could be reinterpreted. A goal was established early on in the process to reuse as many materials from the site as possible. “We matched bricks, did an inventory of the amount of timber we could reuse and salvaged these beautiful 1960s tiles that we ended up using in the lower courtyard,” explains Matt. “It was thinking sustainably by repurposing the materials you already had as well as bringing some of the soul or energy of that original house back into the new form.” Reclaimed and recycled materials can be seen throughout the entire project from the timber flooring, external timber cladding and some of the more decorative elements. The proposal aspired to honour the original residence’s essence while adapting to the lifestyle of the new occupants, offering expansive views across the property and seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.

The home is a collection of small, interconnected structures encircling the repurposed brick fireplace. Arcke was tasked with designing two distinct workspaces for the couple: a functional home office for him and a spacious studio for her creative pursuits and woodcarving workshops. This unique requirement sparked an engaging design conversation, with each of these spaces acting as an introduction to the home. The journey from the street unfolds gradually, guided by the duo of workspaces, ultimately revealing the courtyard featuring the fireplace. Nestled amid mature trees, the dwelling provides various opportunities to pause and enjoy views of the river.

The courtyard is the culmination of work, home life and play. This functions as both an entry space and a shared gathering area for the home, showcasing the refurbished fireplace that pays homage to the site’s history. Large windows in the kitchen and living area elegantly connect the indoor, outdoor and courtyard spaces. Matt explains there were several pivotal moments identified on site early in the process, each possessing distinctive qualities they wanted to reflect in the architecture and landscape design. One such instance is the balcony adjoining the main living area, likened to the allure of a jetty’s edge – a private moment where you connect directly with panoramic views of the river. Another is found within the master bedroom, where the site’s configuration affords lateral views to the river while retaining privacy from the existing vegetation. This moment was discussed a lot and ultimately bestowed upon the master bedroom as the owners wanted to wake up to that moment everyday.

Designed for Brisbane’s subtropical climate, the architecture employs a permeable structure with adaptable features to manage solar impact and ventilation across seasons. “It’s really about understanding that immediate relationship to your environment. So you are much more engaged with that. In terms of the landscape, the river … you’re there. You’re making all these lovely little adjustments as you live in the house,” explains Matt.

The existing trees established a microclimate of a sort, blending architecture with nature. “It was important that the architecture and landscape were considered as one, not two separate objects,” explains Matt. The home integrates seamlessly under their canopy, forming a symbiotic bond with the lush endemic environment. The existing – and beautiful – mature trees were preserved by delicately perching nearby structures on columns. It emphasises an active, functional approach to adapt to environmental elements rather than passively controlling temperature, aiming for an immersive experience with the landscape.

Cues from the surrounding landscape are mimicked internally. Grey ironbark cladding lines the walls and floors with subtle tones in the joinery. Timber-wrapped glazing frame a multitude of views to the interstitial spaces, as well as lateral views down the river. The palette between the old and new materials is seamless with a story behind everything.

This dwelling originated from a deep comprehension of powerful factors such as the historical context of the site, the desires of the clients and the climate. Arcke cleverly crafted a home that respects its predecessors, prioritising quality over quantity while showcasing astute sustainability practices.

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