A modern multi-story house with sharp white gables and warm timber cladding, featuring slatted screens and large windows, is framed by lush green trees and tropical plants, with a contemporary concrete and metal gate leading to the entrance.

New Farm House

Project type - New build

Forging a strong connection between family, the architecture and landscape

Lisa and David, who have two young boys, wanted a new house where they felt strongly connected to the landscape and each other. We designed a home that balances openness and enclosure by drawing the subtropical vegetation into the interior experience and creating spaces that encourage the family to spend time together. 

To mitigate flood constraints, the lower level is raised 1.8 metres above ground and comprises a series of open decks and immersive spaces that allow the landscape to permeate the house, blurring the lines between inside and out. The upper level is more enclosed, yet still maintains a strong connection to the outdoors. Nestled amid the tree canopy, it has high ceilings and operable glazing that offer generous views of greenery and cross ventilation. The floor plan is stepped apart into three connected pavilions, allowing the living and sleeping wings to be closed when unoccupied, inspiring family interaction in the shared spaces.

Tapping into our clients’ skills and passions, we encouraged them to help bring their own house to life. Lisa, an interior designer and artist, designed her studio and the butler’s pantry, while David, a landscape architect, designed the flourishing garden and his workspace on the lower level. This hands-on contribution has enriched their new home with another layer of meaning and joy.

A striking modern house, elevated on white supports, features angular roofs and rich timber cladding amidst lush green tropical plants under a bright, cloudy sky.

East elevation with the timber shutters open. The shutters allow for privacy but can be opened and closed in different configurations. The narrow deck between the shutter and the bedroom wall provide a layer of air for natural ventilation. There is no garage, the front courtyard provides for car parking.

 
A sunlit modern corner featuring a built-in window seat with cushions, a large window overlooking lush green trees, a tall vase of dried berry branches, and a small wooden stool with a mug.

Window seat.

 
A contemporary interior walkway with dark wooden floors leads past a plant-filled wooden staircase on the left, towards a sunlit outdoor view, with a large sliding door on the right.

 View toward the back garden from the central stair

 
A multi-story modern house with a gabled roof and large windows rises from a lush tropical garden, with a green lawn in the foreground under a bright blue sky.

 View from the northwest over the back garden to the house. While Brisbane city is only 5 minutes away the landscaping by Vee Design envelops the house completely within the narrow site.

 
A tranquil room with a wooden table, chairs, and an open book faces a large wooden window offering a view of a lush green sunlit garden.

 The lower study. Cost-effective prefabricated doors have been configured into a large custom opening.

A sunlit modern living room with a light modular sofa and amber glass tables features extensive windows and doors overlooking a dense tropical garden.

 Upper living area with view to the northwest over the garden. The opening uses a standard door that is fully screened for fall prevention

A modern open-plan living and dining room features a cream sofa, amber side tables, a wooden dining table with cane chairs, and sliding doors leading to tropical outdoor views beneath a partially vaulted ceiling.

Upper level dining room.

 
A modern entryway with dark wooden stairs and floor is framed by lush tropical foliage, leading through an open threshold into a verdant garden beyond.

Main entry to the house is a long way into the site. The decking and gaps between the doors are secure, but meant to feel more outside than inside

 
A bright, modern bedroom features a bed, a wall of wooden folding doors, and a glass sliding door opening to a louvered balcony, with triangular windows on a vaulted ceiling overlooking abundant trees.

Main bedroom. Timber applied to the doors on the north allow for privacy to the neighbouring house, which is close to the boundary. Ventilation balcony to the far end with the busy street beyond.

 
A stylish modern entrance featuring white curved panels, dark wood, and the number 38, surrounded by vibrant green tropical foliage and a large tree canopy.

 Metal entry gate fabricated from 10 mm flat plate steel.

 
A modern house entrance features a unique wooden pedestrian gate and a multi-slab concrete driveway with grass strips, leading to a covered open carport and garage, all framed by lush tropical greenery.

View into the entry courtyard. The long pedestrian entry is at the left.

Site Plan, with extent of flooding shown in blue.
Click the image to open it in a lightbox.

Lower floorplan.
Click the image to open it in a lightbox.

Upper floorplan.

 Front Elevation with shutters open.

 

Team

Tim Bennetton

Collaborators 

Builders: Charles Warren Constructions,
Structural Engineer: Rod Bligh
Landscape design: Vee Design, Scapex Landscapes
Interiors: Lisa Hatherly

Year Built

2019

Location

New Farm, Brisbane

Country 

Turrbal and Jaggera peoples 

Photographer 

Toby Scott

Awards

Queensland Architecture Awards 2022
Brisbane Region Commendation for Residential Architecture, New House

Houses Awards 2022
Shortlist, for New House over 200 square metres

Dezeen Awards 2022
Longlist, Urban House category 

Press 

Green Magazine, Issue 82, November 2021, ‘Surrounded’

A minimalist white house is situated on a curving driveway winding through a sloped property abundant with large, sunlit native trees.

Get in touch

Every project starts with a conversation. We’d love to hear what you’re planning, whether it’s a new home, a renovation or just an early idea.

Contact us

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