Bronze Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2021
Toowong Renovation Residential Home
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Dion Seminara Architecture
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 9,393
- Verification code EF3BE261F0 · Verify this award
About Toowong Renovation Residential Home
This Toowong Renovation started with the main goal of making the most out of a sloping block. From there, design ideas and opportunities for the home, which would not have been previously possible on a flat property, were brought to light. The use of curved and natural forms were present in the central design, which then softens the hardscape surface and outdoor structure to create flow. All of this created a flow from the indoor to the outdoors of the home and reduced challenges the home faced including heat, restricted airflow, and natural light.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This home renovation's concept was to make the most out of the sloping block of which the house was situated on, this created new design ideas and opportunities for the home which would not be possible on a flat property. This included the use of curved, rounded and natural forms can soften the hardscape surface and outdoor structure to create a seamless flow from the home into the landscape which reduced challenges the home faced including heat, restricted airflow and natural light.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The rainforest pond is an Aquascape Ecosystem pond that is low-maintenance self-sustained based with the natural balance of circulation, filtration, plants, fish, rocks and gravel. The pond itself is in an organic shape approximately 9m x 9.7m and 600mm deep. The top of the waterfall feature will form part of the biological filtration system utilising a biofalls 2500 filtration system to be run 24/7.
- Tags
- Renovation, Residential Home, Residential House, Home Renovation,
- Production Technology
- The client likes their existing recycled silky oak kitchen and they also want to create a lot of garden to enjoy during their retirement years. We have incorporated a number of landscaping elements including green roofs, rainforest pond and veggie pavilion into the design. We decided to use plain off-form concrete, natural sandstone cladding and large recycled timber beams to highlight the landscape elements. We also added in a lot of motorised high-level windows and shutters to allow ventilation but limiting western sun.
- Design Challenge
- The entire covered external space from the pool area to the courtyard rainforest pond is the feature of this home. The floating landscape concrete stairs over the rainforest pond hanging off the green roof above as well as the organic form of the landscaping elements was definitely a challenge in detail design. Also, the selection of materials on the different element that needs to be complementary without competing with each other.
- Project Duration
- The project started in November 2018 and finished in Feburary 2020 in Brisbane.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for this project was to future proof the home for the clients. It's important that the clients receive and understand the design for their home is personalised and tailored for their lifestyle wants and needs. Including age, location, interests, they all lead towards this final design.
Colors of Toowong Renovation Residential Home
Grand Interview about Toowong Renovation Residential Home
The rainforest pond was central to the idea of turning the home into a small urban sanctuary. Rather than treating landscape as something separate from the architecture, we wanted it to become part of how the house performs and feels.The rainforest pond brings water, planting, humidity, movement and sound into the centre of the home, creating a cooling and calming microclimate. It is also enclosed to help keep leaves and debris out, reducing maintenance and allowing the water landscape to remain clean, calm and functional within the home. The documentation shows the pond was carefully detailed with sub-surface boulders, overflow outlets connected to stormwater, waterproofing, drainage layers and a planting depth requirement, so it was not simply decorative — it was designed as a functioning water landscape.Together, the pond, planting and shaded outdoor spaces help create a more self-contained ecosystem within a dense urban setting, one that supports cooling, biodiversity, stormwater management and a strong emotional connection to nature.
The curved forms came from the site itself. This was not a flat, simple block. It had a strong slope, mature trees, existing levels and quite a complex relationship between the original Queenslander, the pool, the courtyard and the gardens.Rather than forcing a rigid geometry onto the site, the design uses curves to guide movement naturally through the house and landscape. The curved stair, curved pool edge, curved garden walls and screened forms help create a softer flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.From a climate point of view, the curves also help avoid hard, enclosed spaces. They allow the courtyard to breathe, create shaded edges, and encourage air movement through the outdoor rooms. High-level glazing, shutters, ceiling fans and openable screened areas then support that passive cooling strategy. The drawings specifically identify high-level motorised shutters and high-level shutters above beams, showing that air and heat control were considered as part of the architectural system, not as an afterthought. So the organic forms were both aesthetic and practical. They helped the house feel calmer, more natural and more connected to the landscape, while also improving comfort in Brisbane’s climate.
The floating stair was one of the most ambitious parts of the project because it had to work on several levels at once. It was a circulation element, a sculptural feature, and part of the landscape experience.The challenge was that it sat within a very layered courtyard environment, with the rainforest pond, planting, level changes, pool area and screened structures all around it. Technically, the stair needed to feel light and floating, but it still had to be structurally resolved, safe, durable and coordinated with drainage, waterproofing and the pond system.The creative solution was to treat the stair as part of the landscape rather than just a conventional stair. It becomes a journey through the garden, almost like stepping stones over water and planting. The sections show how the courtyard, green roof, existing house, laundry/hall area and rainforest pond were all coordinated through the level changes. The success of this element is that it turns a practical problem, moving between levels, into one of the most memorable experiences of the home.
The material palette was selected to feel grounded, warm and connected to the landscape. Because the project had such a strong garden and water focus, the materials needed to age well, feel natural, and sit comfortably with the existing Queenslander.The off-form concrete gave the project a sense of solidity and permanence, especially around the courtyard, pond and structural elements. The sandstone cladding brought warmth, texture and a natural connection to the garden walls, fireplace and landscape features. The recycled timber beams and timber linings helped tie the new work back to the character of the original home.The drawings show this mix very clearly, with off-form concrete, stone cladding, pavers, ironbark elements, hardwood pergola beams, aluminium screens and mesh all working together in the external detailing. The intention was not to create a polished, overly new-looking renovation. It was to create something layered where timber, stone, concrete, water and planting all feel like they belong together.
The slope was one of the most important design drivers. Many people see a sloping site as a problem because it creates complexity, cost and access challenges. But for this project, the slope became the reason the design could be so rich.Instead of flattening the site, the design works with a sequence of levels — the existing Queenslander, the indoor/outdoor room, the courtyard, the pool, the terrace gardens, the cellar/library, the front yard and the green roofs. Each level has its own function and atmosphere.The drawings show a carefully layered section through the house, with the existing house, covered terrace, backyard, veggie pavilion, pool, waterfall feature, green roof, courtyard and rainforest pond all connected through different levels. The slope allowed us to create drama, privacy, outlook and a strong sense of journey. So rather than hiding the topography, the design celebrates it.
The motorised high-level windows and shutters were part of a broader environmental strategy. In Brisbane, heat rises quickly, especially in high-volume spaces, so being able to release warm air from above is very important.By integrating high-level motorised shutters, the home can purge hot air, improve cross-ventilation, and bring in filtered natural light while still maintaining privacy and sun control. It means the house can respond to different seasons, times of day and weather conditions without relying entirely on mechanical cooling.The drawings specifically identify high-level motorised shutters above the pool area and high-level shutter elements above beams, so this was built into the architectural design. For us, future-proofing is not only about technology. It is about designing a home that remains comfortable, adaptable and efficient over time. These operable systems help the house respond intelligently to its environment.
The pond was designed to be more than a visual feature. It creates atmosphere. It brings sound, movement, reflection and cooling into the centre of the home.The lifestyle idea was to make the courtyard feel like a private rainforest retreat. The clients could move from the kitchen and indoor/outdoor room into a space with water, planting, stone, filtered light and a fireplace. That combination creates a very sensory experience — you hear the water, feel the shade, see the reflections and move through planting.Technically, the pond was coordinated with overflow outlets, waterproofing, drainage and planting requirements, so it could operate as a proper ecosystem-style water feature rather than a static pond. It contributes to the lifestyle by making the home feel restorative. It is not just about having a pool or a garden; it is about creating a daily connection to nature.
The approach was to respect what was already valuable in the home, while allowing the new work to clearly belong to its own time.With a Queenslander, there is always a balance between preservation and transformation. We did not want the new work to feel like a fake reproduction of the old house. At the same time, we wanted to keep the warmth, craft and character that made the original home special.The recycled silky oak kitchen is a good example of that balance. It brings memory, warmth and material continuity into a much more contemporary kitchen and indoor/outdoor living arrangement. The interior drawings show that the kitchen, butler’s pantry, dining room, TV cabinet, study, laundry and wine cellar were all carefully documented as part of a complete interior design package. The modern elements — high-level glazing, operable shutters, curved screens, green roofs and the rainforest pond — then bring a new level of performance and lifestyle to the home. The result is not old versus new; it is a layered conversation between the two.
The veggie pavilion and garden areas were designed around the idea that the home should support the clients’ lifestyle over the long term. Retirement living is not only about accessibility; it is also about purpose, routine, comfort and enjoyment.The garden gives the clients something active and meaningful to engage with every day. The veggie pavilion, terrace gardens, orchid house, drying deck, courtyard and outdoor spaces create a home that encourages movement, gardening, entertaining and connection to nature.The architectural set identifies the veggie pavilion, terrace gardens, existing orchid house, water tank areas, new turf, new paths and external works as part of the broader site strategy. For aging residents, that kind of planning is important. The home is not just designed for how they live now, but for how they may want to live in the future — with places to gather, retreat, garden, rest and enjoy the site without feeling disconnected from the house.
I think this project shows that sustainability is not just about adding solar panels or green products. It is about designing a home that genuinely works with its site, climate, landscape and occupants.The Toowong renovation demonstrates that a challenging sloping block can become a major strength. Instead of flattening the land or separating the house from the garden, the design uses level changes, green roofs, ponds, courtyards, screens and planting to create a complete living environment.The project also shows the value of integrating architecture, interiors and landscape from the beginning. The kitchen, indoor/outdoor dining, covered terrace, courtyard, pool, rainforest pond, green roofs and garden spaces all work together rather than being designed as separate pieces.For future residential design, I think the lesson is that difficult sites often produce the most interesting architecture. When handled carefully, slope, trees, heat, privacy and drainage can become design opportunities rather than constraints.