Highgate Hill Cottage

Highgate Hill Cottage reinterprets the traditional character house abundant in inner-city Brisbane. The presence of a stormwater easement on the site constrained the buildable area, prompting a ‘lift and build under’ method prevalent in similar houses. The challenging proportions brought about by the lifting process have been reconciled through the adoption of a playful materiality and rhythmic facade, taking cues from the existing pre-1911 workers cottage. The need for a flexible space with ground-level access was a key to the spatial organisation of the cottage. This space can be used as a home office, or as an additional bedroom for a multi-generational living arrangement, with both requiring separation of access from the public realm. The house’s close relationship to the street is mediated through a timber-screened undercroft space shrouding the building’s front, providing a secure and insect-proof entry point while layering light and views to the outside. The textural timber exterior cladding was achieved through the use of a black stain, emphasising the wood’s natural variegation. This results in a exterior finish which catches the sunlight, while softly receding in the shade. LOCATION Highgate Hill, QLD  COMPLETED 2022 CONTRACTOR Greg Thornton Constructions STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Westera Partners PHOTOGRAPHER James Hung