Clayfield House by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

ByJon Dykstra Houses

A contemporary house with an exterior made of original white weatherboards.

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Studio: Alexandra Buchanan Architecture
Location: Clayfield, Brisbane
Floor area: 390m2
Design Team: Northern Consulting Engineers
Status: Completed 2018
Photography: Toby Scott
Materials: Timber, Steel, Glass

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An arc corridor leads to a door that allows access to the back of the house.
An arc corridor leads to a door that allows access to the back of the house.
The living room, which features cushioned sofas, a triple-glazed window, and a weatherboard wall.
The living room, which features cushioned sofas, a triple-glazed window, and a weatherboard wall.
From the living room, a view of the timber terraces between the lawn and raised deck.
From the living room, a view of the timber terraces between the lawn and raised deck.
A living room with a large mirror atop a wooden fireplace lit with orbital lighting.
A living room with a large mirror atop a wooden fireplace lit with orbital lighting.
A contemporary kitchen is expressed in white to contrast with the black steel.
A contemporary kitchen is expressed in white to contrast with the black steel.
A white weatherboards contrast and minimalist fixtures of the materials used highlight the bedroom.
A white weatherboards contrast and minimalist fixtures of the materials used highlight the bedroom.
The large vanity mirror in the bathroom of the bedroom, which has a rectangular sink mounted on the marble wall.
The large vanity mirror in the bathroom of the bedroom, which has a rectangular sink mounted on the marble wall.
A minimalist home office with open shelving mounted on the wall and a built-in table.
A minimalist home office with open shelving mounted on the wall and a built-in table.
A view of the kitchen from the garden, with pivoting screens and timber steeps.
A view of the kitchen from the garden, with pivoting screens and timber steeps.
An informal sitting area that invites occupation of the garden.
An informal sitting area that invites occupation of the garden.
A swimming pool in the backdoor garden surrounded by plants and trees.
A swimming pool in the backdoor garden surrounded by plants and trees.

The renovation and extension of Clayfield House introduces a suite of contemporary spaces to an historic Brisbane residence. The interior has been cleverly re-ordered to give the social spaces of the home, particularly the kitchen, dining and sitting room, a garden outlook and an adjacency to a new outdoor room positioned at the back of the house.

The outdoor room defines the rear elevation, creating a striking enclosure forged in dark stained timber. Between the lawn and raised deck, timber terraces create a playful edge and an informal sitting area that invites occupation of the garden. Pivoting screens manage privacy and shade to the sides whilst contributing to its visually animated form.

Key to the project’s success is the way interior rooms and spaces enjoy improved connections to one another and to the exterior landscape. Particular attention has been paid to maintaining spatial diversity and creating a variety of rooms where small and large groups can come together, both inside and out.

Wherever possible the historic character of the house is celebrated. On the exterior, original weatherboards are deliberately expressed in white in contrast to the contemporary steel in black.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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