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Queenslander homes have been a staple of the South East Queensland landscape for decades. They are known for their traditional style and features that make them perfect for our climate. However, as times change, so too must the design of our Queenslander homes. In this blog post, we will discuss the features of a modern Queenslander house and how you can get one designed specifically for your needs.
Keeping It Cool
One of the most important features of a modern Queenslander house is its ability to adapt to our changing Queensland climate. As our summers get hotter and drier, it is important that our homes are designed to keep us cool. Whether you’re up on the Sunshine Coast, in Brisbane, or even the Gold Coast, your home design needs to accommodate the typical climate of your area.
A modern Queenslander house should have:
- Large verandahs or pergolas, to provide shade from the harsh sun
- Open plan living, to keep your home cool in the summer for your growing family
- Double glazed windows to diffuse any harsh sunlight
- High ceilings for your open living areas and ceiling fans to circulate cool air
- Expertly designed breezeways for a refreshing way to let air through your home
Energy Efficiency
Another feature that is essential for a modern Queenslander house is energy efficiency. With rising electricity prices, it is more important than ever to make sure our homes are as energy efficient as possible. A modern Queenslander house should be designed with solar panels on the roof to take advantage of our abundant Sunshine State sun. Additionally, insulation in the walls and ceilings will help to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, further reducing your energy costs.
Aesthetic Modern Twist
Most loved Queenslander homes have these classic features:
- Wide covered verandahs
- Refined French doors
- A rumpus room
- Plantation shutter window treatments
- A gable ridged roof
- Stumps to raise the Queenslander off the ground, especially if the Queenslanders are found on sloping blocks
- Vertical join or horizontal join walls using slats to give the home a timeless look
- Decorative plaster moulding such as ceiling roses and cornices
- Aesthetic lattice work for verandahs and even in sunrooms
For modern house designs in Queensland that you’ll love for all the right reasons, maintain the classic Queenslander feel while adding a modern twist. Not only will your home keep its rich history and culture, but it’ll be more practical for modern everyday living.
Common modern additions to Queenslander homes include:
- Renovations to the space beneath the Queenslander home. As Queenslanders are often raised off the ground using stumps or stilts, there are plenty of ways this space can be filled. Most commonly, the area beneath a Queenslander becomes used for car spaces or it is enclosed to be used for private spaces like a lounge area or gym.
- Improved air-conditioning. Although Queenslanders are already designed perfectly for the hot Queensland climate, most modern homes now include air-conditioning and this is a common addition for modern Queenslanders.
- Better pest control and drainage systems. To ensure their homes keep up with the modern world, Queenslanders are also often renovated to include these improvements.
- Environmentally sustainable building materials. Typical Queenslanders are built using timber. Today, many modern Queenslanders are built with materials such as prefabricated plastic cladding. This construction material is more durable and environmentally sustainable than wood.
- House rewiring. Especially for older Queenslanders, extensive rewriting is often required. As well as ensuring your power can handle modern gadgets and appliances, this electrical rewiring ensures that all the electrical lines in your home are up to modern code or standards of safety.
- Extended verandahs. Queenslander homes typically have a verandah that either frames the front or back of the house. With modern living, a verandah is a great feature of a house that many people take advantage of. In renovations it is common for verandahs on Queenslander to be extended to completely encircle the home. As verandahs foster indoor and outdoor living for any time of day and during rain or shine, maximising on this element is a great idea.
Architecturally Designed Dream Home
Before you commence construction following modern Queenslander house plans on a vacant block, or even if you forgo the building process and purchase house and land packages that have an existing Queenslander, you could meet with a design consultant. It’s always a good idea to consult experts when trying to achieve a dream home. We wish you luck with all your modern Queenslander house designs!
