Relax and unwind as you stroll through this modern home that exudes warmth and character. At first glance you might think a contemporary residence in the traditional but affluent suburb of Ascot might raise a few eyebrows. But this design introduces modern architectural elements while remaining considerate and respectful of its context.
Designed by its owner, award-winning Brisbane architect Joe Adsett, the home will cater well to the family as it grows over the years. Joe says the experience of being both architect and client was at times complicated. “It was an unusual situation; we needed to be our own clients. In some ways it was liberating and in other ways it was challenging,” he says.
Two enormous long wings hug the garden, providing a sense of connectivity. There is also prolific use of beautiful organic materials and a blend of curves and straight lines. The structures have a commanding presence but are not imposing. It was the site itself, the elevated 1215sqm corner block tucked into the leafy Brisbane suburb, that inspired its design. To take advantage of the site’s aspect, Joe saw the need to create the two long wings. But of course, in keeping with the local vernacular and not wanting to dominate its urban streetscape, Joe streamlined its bulk. “We envisioned it as a floating upper storey on a solid stone plinth,” he says.
It is by and large a family home, with a sprawling 650sqm of space consisting of five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a library, study, wine cellar, home theatre, swimming pool and tennis court. Joe and his wife Hayley have two young children, seven-year-old Julian and five-year-old Madeleine, as well as a new Burmese kitten called Zaha Hadid Adsett, named after the famous architect.
Joe says designing the house became quite a family affair, with the kids helping out. “Little Madeleine and Julian took on their roles very seriously, drawing it out on architecture paper,” muses Joe. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a unicorn to live on the roof or space for 12 wheelie bins!” Nevertheless, the idea was to build a home that would provide ample opportunities to enjoy the things that were important to the family. In addition, there’s plenty of room outdoors, with spaces to share and private areas to retreat to.
The library is a book lover’s dream, an elevated space to while away the hours with volumes on display from floor to ceiling. It is both functional and beautiful. While Hayley says there is much she loves about their home, the library is her favourite. “The journey up the helical stair, slowly spiralling outwards towards the edges of the double-height space that’s lined with row upon row of books, is truly remarkable,” she enthuses. “At the same time, the built-in seating provides a cosy space to curl up with a book, bestowing a human scale within a grandiose space.”
From start to completion, the project presented complexity and length due to the intricate geometries. “Designing the helical stair was a feat in itself,” says Joe. Furthermore, the most significant challenge involved a structural change, where the builder requested a shift from steel to a hybrid timber and steel frame. To address this, the team incorporated a light palette of materials, including natural timbers, marble, stone, and powder-coated aluminium. As a result, this home invites you to reach out and touch its smooth contours.
By prioritizing environmental considerations during the build, the need for automated climate controls was eliminated. “Building from scratch allowed us to utilize the perfect north-east aspect of our site, which in turn reduces the need for heating and cooling,” explains Joe. The hotter western side of the home features fewer openings, while the extended wings with fixed screens let breezes flow through the open windows, keeping the house cool during Queensland’s sizzling summers.
Precision and attention to detail have underpinned every aspect of this project. Joe and Hayley were determined to source the correctly shaped marble flutes for the kitchen as very few marble varieties allow such a precise, fine shape. “We observed many slabs of marble before we settled on our final choice,” they reveal.
There were quite a few memorable moments for the family as the project came together. “Watching the large sheet of curved glass from New Zealand being carefully manoeuvred into place, millimetre by millimetre, was extremely nerve-wracking,” says Joe.
