In an era where much of the housing in Brisbane can fall into predictable patterns, West End Residence pushes for a more meaningful, context-driven design. Shepherded by the industrial vibrancy of West End, this aptly-named two-storey residence offers a tactile, almost sculptural quality to domestic life that simultaneously functions as an art gallery, cultivating a strong affinity for mass materials and a curated display of the clients’ art.
The clients inherited the residence as a Queenslander that had undergone a series of DIY iterations over the years. The traditional Queensland caricature that once existed had become defunct: “With the opportunity to start fresh, the client approached us with the vision to have an unexpected approach to the archetypal Queensland home. It was to be their forever home for the young family. However, we wanted the house to continually evoke the sense of being on an everlasting holiday, a sanctuary from the everyday busyness locked away amongst the lushness and diversity of West End,” say Yvonne Li, Design Manager at Tom Mark Henry, and Jade Nottage, Director of Tom Mark Henry.
The entry vestibule opens into expansive living, dining and kitchen spaces, configured to distribute natural light and imbue the home with an ebullient warmth that shifts gently with the passing day. This attention to natural light serves a function and converts the residence, creating a sense of open-ended space that feels expansive and contained. “The consideration of how light was filtered through the space throughout the day was a key driver for the open living and dining spaces,” explains Li and Nottage. In this approach, “we wanted to utilise the natural light to enhance the depth of texture, colour and reflection throughout. With the house being so light-filled, we were able to move away from the traditional white walls and lighter-toned finishes traditionally expected of Queensland homes.”
Harnessing a legion of materials, the interiors are an amalgamation of organic gestures that work in concert with a smart palette. Here, natural timbers, muted stone finishes and curving forms elevate the aesthetic beyond the typical rectilinear constructs. The material choices, much like the art displayed throughout, bring in textures and subtle tonalities that counter the industrial context of West End, lending a strongly tactile quality to the spaces.
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With its conscientious palette, private bedroom and bathroom quarters were conceived as an exercise in meditative tranquillity with an interplay of warm and cool hues. “With the architecture being at such a grand spatial scale, the blush-hues rendered walls, varied textiles and bold stone selections were integral in off-setting the high ceiling and open-plan living to create a more intimate ambiance,” elaborate Li and Nottage.
This balance of textures, along with a restrained yet distinctive colour palette, provides a canvas for the art collection, allowing each piece to punctuate the spatial experience while resonating with the surrounding architecture. “The overall living and spatial experience was designed prior to consideration of art placement. We were aware the client had beautiful art pieces, but it was not the driver to the floor planning. We ensured throughout the design that art placement was considered, but it was more in regard to complementary finishes than spatial circulation,” add Li and Nottage.
Conceived to meet a range of needs, the custom joinery anchors these spaces with precision, adding layers of personalisation that reflect the clients’ individuality. Thoughtfully designed storage and shelving become functional sculptures, balancing utility with an aesthetic that feels fluid and deeply intentional.
The approach yields form and function, where the two co-exist evidently throughout. “In this instance, form and function are perfectly integrated in both the kitchen island and the dining area. These spaces serve as the heart of the home, where the clients would spend much of their time — entertaining guests, hosting family gatherings and creating lasting memories with their growing family. We treated these areas as focal points, blending design and aesthetic appeal with practicality. We wanted to craft an inviting, intimate gathering space that felt both cosy and grand, incorporating bold geometric elements for the dining table and a striking stone pattern in the kitchen,” conclude Li and Nottage.
