Our Projects

Jan
17
2013

House Extensions Brisbane CASE STUDY: 1950’s Norman Park Renovation

House Extensions BrisbaneDION SEMINARA ARCHITECTURE CASE STUDY: Norman Park, 1950′s home extension renovation.

OUR CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS:

The goal with this small 3 bedroom home was to raise it further to allow for useable rooms to be built in underneath the existing home. The owners wanted a large deck that would be useable in a variety of weather condition, but particularly on hot days where they still wished to spend time outside. They also wanted the design to take advantage of the prevailing local breezes to allow the home to be cooled naturally.

The home is situated near the Brisbane River in a street that does have some risk of inundation during extreme flooding events. This was something that needed to be allowed for in the renovation design of this 600sq metre 1950’s home. Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
29
2012

Home Extension CASE STUDY: Hamilton 1930’s House Renovation

Home extension DION SEMINARA ARCHITECTURE CASE STUDY: Hamilton 1930’s Home Extension Renovation. See more images from this stunning renovation by clicking here.

OUR CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS: My clients, newly arrived in Brisbane from Melbourne, wanted to create a family home. However they were on a restricted budget and realised that they could not afford to do everything they would have liked to have done.

During lengthy discussions through our Lifestyle Assessment verbal advice service, we explored a number of different options. My advice at the end of this time was that a pavilion style extension was best. This option actually limited the amount of renovation required and worked perfectly with the site restriction which included a Queenslander home at the front and a narrow driveway for access to the back. There was also a large pool traversing the rear yard space diagonally behind the Queenslander home.  My clients wanted a WOW factor and really liked the idea of adding a modern styled pavilion to the back of their 1920-30’s colonial home. Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
27
2012

CASE STUDY: Post-war Brisbane 1950’s bungalow renovation in Kenmore

Post War Home RenovationDION SEMINARA ARCHITECTURE CASE STUDY: Post-war Brisbane 1950’s bungalow renovation in Kenmore

OUR CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS: The owners of this Kenmore home wanted it modernised. In their brief they explained that they wanted us to improve the homes street appeal and provide an open plan living/dining/kitchen space. There was a distinct lack of connection between the inside and outside areas of the home, so the brief also included the creation of an indoor/outdoor space, to create stronger links to their garden which was being redeveloped as part of the overall project, to create a covered link to the garage and new carport and finally to create a cellar (wine buff’s).

THE PROJECT IN DETAIL: This was a home with ‘good bones’ as we say; a post-war bungalow that whilst cramped, had a certain charm. Read the rest of this entry »

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Oct
29
2012

CASE STUDY: Two Storey Renovation – Indooroopilly

CASE STUDY: Two Storey Renovation – Indooroopilly

THE PROJECT: The home is a 1960’s low-set brick and weatherboard bungalow that had a second storey added in the 1970’s.

The owners who are approaching their retirement wanted the home updated to have a more modern look with uncluttered spaces that were more open and inviting.

Our goal then was to create a home that was a blend of contemporary elegance and old style charm.

To achieve this we have blended modern materials with the existing exterior cladding giving the home a unique and wonderfully edgy façade. Expressed steel has been cleverly used along with aluminium panels giving the home a very contemporary appearance whilst enhancing its already subtropical characteristics. Read the rest of this entry »

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Oct
29
2012

CASE STUDY: Character House Renovation – Bulimba

CASE STUDY: Character House Renovation – Bulimba.

THE PROJECT: Being a character home it was important that we seamlessly blend modern elements with the traditional Queensland character of the home. Fittings and materials were to be modern but it was essential that these did not clash with the existing structure.

The renovation itself took place in two stages over ten years, starting with the house being raised and moved in 2000.

Both stages were planned at the same time to make the second part of the renovation as stress free as possible. The plan was to undertake stage two when the owner’s children were a bit older. This involved adding a cook’s kitchen whilst turning the existing kitchen into a luxury bathroom-ensuite in a magnificent 20 square metre extension. Some other areas that hadn’t been touched during the initial renovation were then transformed into a home office and very large robe area. Read the rest of this entry »

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May
23
2011

Achieving a Fusion of Past and Present – Bringing the best of Queensland Architecture into the 21st Century

Renovate A Queenslander

There can be few parts of the world that is so closely identified with a particular style of home architecture as Queensland. Saying ‘Queenslander’ immediately conjures up a certain image in the minds of Australians and probably also in a fair few people beyond these shores. These homes, which have defined style and practicality in our state for much more than a century, can still be seen all across Brisbane and the rest of the state and the type is still going strong. When you stop to think about it, there is so much to like about  Queenslander Homes:

  • Raised living spaces allowing for comfortable living in the climactic conditions of our state
  • Stylish and cool verandas providing unique spaces for socializing and entertaining
  • High ceilings
  • A strong focus on channelling and assisting cooling airflows
  • Extra space underneath the house for storage or parking
  • Queenslanders are somewhat more flood resistant than ‘normal’ homes due to the main living areas being raised

Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
21
2009

Creating Magnetic Entertaining Spaces

Brisbane architect renovationHave you ever noticed how particular spaces within a home tend to attract people? How people seem to be immediately drawn to certain areas, as if some mysterious magnetic force was pulling people into this space?

One of the most intriguing is the magnetism of a kitchen island bench. You would hardly say that a kitchen is an exciting room, yet people congregate around an island bench as if it was prime seating at a sold out concert. This phenomenon is further enhanced if the same island bench has stools, or other forms of seating available.

But it’s not only kitchen benches where this phenomenon occurs. BBQ’s are another example of a space that people tend to gravitate towards. This can occur even if nothing is being cooked.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Sep
19
2009

Creating an Outdoor Room

Outdoor Room, Enclosed DeckQueensland has a beautiful climate and one that allows for a largely outdoor lifestyle. But for many people, a simple deck doesn’t quite cut it. They want to enjoy the outdoors in a degree of comfort. The type of comfort that only an outdoor room can offer.

Outdoor living areas are not a new concept, just look at any older style home and chances are you will see large verandahs adorned with outdoor settings. The major difference is that today we do things better. The verandahs of the past have made way for outdoor rooms and alfresco areas with a degree of refinement never before thought of.

So let’s look at some of the basics that go into making an outdoor room.

Best aspects:

The one thing to keep in mind about the outdoors is that it is ‘outdoors’. It’s not inside where windows, walls and doors protect us from the elements. This needs to be taken into account when designing an outdoor room.

And new home, or renovation, should take advantage of the most suitable aspects of the home. Which areas will give you the best views? Read the rest of this entry »

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