New Farm Hanging Garden House, Renovation Brisbane, Queensland home, Australian real estate, QLD property photos

New Farm Hanging Garden House in Brisbane

20 October 2025

Architects: FOLAR Architecture & Interior Design

Location: New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Photos by Mitchell Kemp

Hanging Garden House, Queensland

This renovation and extension in New Farm, Brisbane, transforms a pre-1946 character cottage into a contemporary family home that balances heritage constraints with modern living.

In accordance with Council requirements, the existing cottage was retained, raised, and built under, before being seamlessly integrated into a new two-level extension at the rear. The design respects the historic street presence while unlocking the site’s potential to accommodate the needs of a growing family.

At the heart of the project is the existing pool, which anchors a reimagined garden sanctuary. A dramatic double-height living space opens onto this outdoor zone, semi-enclosed by a roof canopy and articulated by a crafted breezeblock screen & hanging garden. This screen provides shade, privacy, and a striking textural element, filtering light and shadow throughout the day.

Internally, the architecture is defined by a balance of robust and tactile materials. Warm natural timber tones are set against bold polished concrete, establishing an atmosphere that is at once durable, refined, and deeply connected to the subtropical context.

The outcome is a home that embraces its layered histories while creating flexible, light-filled spaces for contemporary family life. It is both a respectful continuation of New Farm’s character housing and a confident reinterpretation for the future.