Hillside Garden & Residence

Brisbane

Empty nesting for 2 - Ageing in Place

 

 

 

About

Where do you start when empty nesting in 'the big ol' family home'?

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In this recent project for a pair of 'empty nesters', with five recently departed adult children between them, Brady Bunch style, & a gaggle of empty-nest friends, debate ran hot about what to do with the 'big box' family home that no longer seemed relevant.

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Resolution

The decision was made to 'stay put' & create beautiful outdoor spaces & soft landscaping, linking their home & new lifestyle with verdant gardens & views. 

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Due to the steep topography of the site, a courtyard was created to the south, nestled into the hillside to the rear, & an enlarged terrace to the north with mountain & valley views. 

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Climate

This home started life as a speculative brick and tile 'big box' house with little relationship to site and landscape. Through this project, spaces for all seasons & times of day have been created, providing both aspect & refuge, & allowing the home  to 'breathe' with its environment.

 

Outcome

A large house on a large site, the transformation is soft, nuanced and sensitively responds to:

• How they live togetehr

• How time is shared

• Engagement with family and friends

• Provision of a range of spatial experiences

• Seasons, aspect & micro-climate

• Engagement between external & internal spaces

• Safer, easier access for all

 

The outcome?

A beautiful celebration of the art of living & gathering, empty-nest style.

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Collaborators

LARC Landscape Architecture: larc.la

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