A Queenslander

Dear Husband and I have always loved the Queensland architecture, particularly the "Queenslander" that pre dated the war.  Memories from our childhoods - visiting old towns graced with Queenslanders and playing with friends, either on the verandahs or under the house, or down (what seemed to be) endless, wide hallways.  Neither of us were lucky to live in one long term, but to this day we have always admired them.

So, when it came to building on a block of land in one of Brisbane's older suburbs, coupled with restrictions as a result of living in a water corridor and the design considerations that came with that, it wasn't a hard decision for us.  

The climate was the primary reason for the development of the Queenslander. The Queenslander was built on stumps (at varying heights) which allowed for air to pass under the home, providing respite from the heat of the day.   Balmy summer days with afternoon rains created a need for wide verandahs, as another important element.  Once impacted by the '74 floods, our land also had restrictions preventing habitable space under Brisbane's "Q100" flood line.  This immediately required us to build at minimum 1200mm off the land, so a stump-house was ideal. 

Queenslanders also enabled the outdoor lifestyle that Queenslanders (the people!)  are proud of.   Typically, the outdoor-spaces were framed with white posts, decorative balustrades and sweeps, along with internal features such as hall arches, decorative cornice, larger skirts and architraves.  Building a "Queenslander" was a labour of love - elements that Dear Husband and I poured over in the design of our house.  

We aimed for a minimalist-traditional effect; older styles coupled with modern functionality and materials. We haven't totally replicated the old-school styles, but we have incorporated elements where possible.  

There is still a lot to be done - concreting underneath, battening, increasing the length of what is typically arches (currently square cut - running across the front of the house below the bay windows), fences, gates, a letterbox (I'm missing out on the junk mail and local rag!!), gardening, insect screens, curtains, furniture!..... the list seems endless. 

I'll take some close-ups of the particular features this weekend; thoses ones that were must-haves for us and our mad reasoning for it!  Until next post ....

Suz x