The Bunkbed House

With jobs, friends and their hearts in Highgate Hill, the occupants of this home knew they couldn’t live anywhere else in Brisbane. In such a tightly held area, they found a small, narrow block and set about creating a home that would support their family and a vibrant social life. Sustainability and low-maintenance materials were also important to them.

To maximise the narrow site, living is split over two levels, with a full kitchen downstairs and kitchenette upstairs to allow for multiple living arrangements (hence the project name). In the heart of the home, a central courtyard injects light into lower south-facing living spaces while also visually linking upper and lower levels. And even more light flows in via translucent panelling along the stairwell.

These stairs lead you up to a hidden rooftop terrace ensconced in a canopy of trees, adding functional outdoor living space to the sloping site. To further uphold the sustainable intent of the home, we integrated solar energy, grey water reuse water tanks, upgraded insulation, recycled materials and a low-maintenance exterior into the design. Through its playful form and hidden spaces, the journey through this narrow home proves that good things really do come in small packages.

• Location

  Yuggera Country
  Highgate Hill

• Client

  Anonymous

• Builder

  Aligned Building + Construction

• Year Completed

  2020

• Design Time

  10 months

• Build Time

  8 months

• Value per m2

  3,000

• Photography

  Toby Scott