About the project
‘Kitawah’, a stately property dating back to the early development of Brisbane, now repaired and updated for its continued use as a private residence.
‘Kitawah’ is a high-set state listed, timber house with a terracotta roof designed by prominent Australian architect, Robin Dods and is a rare example of a grand house and setting surviving in Brisbane. The proposed works were guided by key issues and conservation policies identified in the Conservation Management Plan, also prepared by Conrad Gargett.
A substantial increase in floor area was required to satisfy the client’s brief for upgrading the residence to meet 21st century living and lifestyle standards. Expanding ‘Kitawah’ with the least impact to the original and early design, scale and setting of the place was determined to be through excavation.
Excavation enabled the original levels of the house to be retained with a new floor level to the perimeter of the existing created underneath via cutting into the crest of the topography on which ‘Kitawah’ is sited.
The new level would not be seen from the street or front garden, thus ensuring all significant external elements of the place were preserved.
