Highvale House by Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

ByJon Dykstra Houses

A highvale House sits amongst native gums on a sloping site.

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Studio: Alexandra Buchanan Architecture
Project type: New Build House
Location: Highvale, Samford Valley, Brisbane QLD
Status: Completed
Floor area: 283sqm
Photography: Andy Macpherson
Design Team: Fidelis
Architectural Team: Alexandra Buchanan with Shane Wilmett
Construction Team: Div Build
Materials: Timber, FC, Steel, Glass

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

The skylight illuminates the house entrance.
The skylight illuminates the house entrance.
The living areas are distinguished by a rich palette of stone and wood, which adds warmth and richness to the interior.
The living areas are distinguished by a rich palette of stone and wood, which adds warmth and richness to the interior.
The kitchen and dining area have a single layout system with pendant lighting and clerestory windows to view the backyard garden.
The kitchen and dining area have a single layout system with pendant lighting and clerestory windows to view the backyard garden.
A kitchen with dark cabinetry and island, high-end appliances, and dark wood walls and flooring.
A kitchen with dark cabinetry and island, high-end appliances, and dark wood walls and flooring.
A house with traditional Japanese elements that combines the clients' cultural heritage with a sense of local regionalism.
A house with traditional Japanese elements that combines the clients’ cultural heritage with a sense of local regionalism.
The bathroom, which features a black freestanding tub and steel faucet.
The bathroom, which features a black freestanding tub and steel faucet.
The bathroom's integrated sink with a large vanity mirror.
The bathroom’s integrated sink with a large vanity mirror.
The exposed lighting illuminates the corridor with wall mounted customized plant shelving.
The exposed lighting illuminates the corridor with wall mounted customized plant shelving.
A man sits on the wooden deck, looking out at the Japanese-inspired garden.
A man sits on the wooden deck, looking out at the Japanese-inspired garden.
A view of the kitchen from the garden, via the large glass door that connects to the opposite side of the house.
A view of the kitchen from the garden, via the large glass door that connects to the opposite side of the house.
A house in sloping site highlighting the Japanese inspired garden.
A house in sloping site highlighting the Japanese inspired garden.
A house wrapped in metal cladding, speaks to rural Australian vernacular and reads as a singular element.
A house wrapped in metal cladding, speaks to rural Australian vernacular and reads as a singular element.
The generous glazed facade with high clerestory windows allows light deep into the width of the house.
The generous glazed facade with high clerestory windows allows light deep into the width of the house.

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Highvale House sits amongst native gums on a sloping site. Perched on posts to disturb the land as little as possible, this raised position provides vistas through branches to the valley and hills beyond.

Wrapped in metal cladding, the house speaks to rural Australian vernacular and reads as a singular element, both sculptural and responsive to the local climate. The plan’s program borrows from traditional Japanese elements, marrying the clients’ cultural heritage with a kind of local regionalism.

The program includes a Genkan, Engawa and Washitsu. The plan has a distinct separation between living and sleeping areas linked with a continuous corridor providing light and ventilation throughout. The living areas are characterised by a rich palette of stone and timber offering warmth and richness to the interior.

The generous glazed façade with high clerestory windows allows light deep into the width of the plan while providing opportunity to control daylight levels with floor to ceiling drapery offering a softness to the interior palette.

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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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