A West End cottage has been thoughtfully transformed through a renovation that prioritises garden preservation and modest spatial intervention. The project, completed by Vokes and Peters, demonstrates an alternative to large-scale residential extensions.
The renovation began with necessary structural repairs after the discovery of termite damage and undersized joists in the original cottage. This initial setback led to a two-year pause in construction, during which the owners developed the garden space, establishing a circular terrace and southern trellis.
The final design maintains a compact 101-square-meter footprint on the 486-square-meter site. Key features include a new garden room with full-height hinged screens, a triangular atrium bringing northern light into south-facing rooms, and a relocated kitchen that connects the original living space to the new addition.
Materials selected for the project include Linea weatherboards finished in Deep Brunswick Green, custom timber window frames by Duce Timber Windows and Doors, and Endicott crazy paving for external elements. The interior features a combination of radiata pine boards and plasterboard with carefully selected finishes.
The project was completed in seven months following a six-month design and documentation phase. Located on the traditional lands of the Turrbal and Jagera people, the renovation provides a case study in measured architectural intervention in Brisbane’s inner-city suburbs.
Published 30-January-2025
