The Queenslander: Beautiful, Enduring and Here to Stay
We take the key features of the architecturally brilliant Queenslander and bring it into the here and now
If any region in Australia could be recognised purely by the style of its housing, Brisbane would win hands down! The ‘Queenslander’ is a style of architecture that has endured for more than a century, providing the city’s older suburbs with a sense of character and identity.
Queenslanders were originally designed and built with the warm subtropical climate in mind and, consequently, many homes share the same structural features. However, you’ll also find that each has a character and charm all of its own due to the unique combinations of their distinctive main features. If you’re renovating or building from scratch, you can easily work with these key characteristics to create your own combinations and enhance the Queenslander’s modern function and aesthetics.
Queenslander Homes at a Glance
Defining period: 1860s to the late 1930s
Key characteristics: Elevated structure, timber frame, expansive verandah, pitched roof, decorative timberwork
Commonly seen in: Queensland and northern New South Wales
Queenslanders were originally designed and built with the warm subtropical climate in mind and, consequently, many homes share the same structural features. However, you’ll also find that each has a character and charm all of its own due to the unique combinations of their distinctive main features. If you’re renovating or building from scratch, you can easily work with these key characteristics to create your own combinations and enhance the Queenslander’s modern function and aesthetics.
Queenslander Homes at a Glance
Defining period: 1860s to the late 1930s
Key characteristics: Elevated structure, timber frame, expansive verandah, pitched roof, decorative timberwork
Commonly seen in: Queensland and northern New South Wales
WHAT DEFINES THE QUEENSLANDER?
Today, Queenslanders are designed, renovated and built new using both traditional and contemporary finishes.
There are three common features all Queenslander homes share – they are elevated, have a verandah and showcase timberwork. These standout characteristics came about mainly due to the warm climate, however they each can be renovated or highlighted to cater for modern living and to enhance design. Read on to see how.
Today, Queenslanders are designed, renovated and built new using both traditional and contemporary finishes.
There are three common features all Queenslander homes share – they are elevated, have a verandah and showcase timberwork. These standout characteristics came about mainly due to the warm climate, however they each can be renovated or highlighted to cater for modern living and to enhance design. Read on to see how.
1. Raised above the ground
Queenslanders were typically elevated on timber ‘stumps’. This would allow ventilation and cool air to flow under the house, protect the main structure from termites and other pests, and enable the natural flow of water in times of torrential rain.
Today, thanks to improvements in air-conditioning, pest control and drainage, that open space is prime real estate for renovation. Building under the original structure provides space for additional bedrooms, extra living, a garage, or a kids’ playroom. And this can all be done without interrupting the framework of the house or changing much of the aesthetics, as the verandahs and timberwork are still consistent across the house.
Queenslanders were typically elevated on timber ‘stumps’. This would allow ventilation and cool air to flow under the house, protect the main structure from termites and other pests, and enable the natural flow of water in times of torrential rain.
Today, thanks to improvements in air-conditioning, pest control and drainage, that open space is prime real estate for renovation. Building under the original structure provides space for additional bedrooms, extra living, a garage, or a kids’ playroom. And this can all be done without interrupting the framework of the house or changing much of the aesthetics, as the verandahs and timberwork are still consistent across the house.
This home – newly built in the style of a modern Queenslander – incorporates the characteristic raised structure. Downstairs, extra living space suits family living, while an extension to the side accommodates bedrooms and a garage.
2. Expansive verandahs
Verandahs often framed the front and back of the house, or sometimes completely encircled it. They were designed to foster indoor and outdoor living – ideal for sitting out on during the day, or sleeping on during the night. While here, residents were protected from the harsh sun and excessive downpours.
More: How to Get More From Your Verandah
Verandahs often framed the front and back of the house, or sometimes completely encircled it. They were designed to foster indoor and outdoor living – ideal for sitting out on during the day, or sleeping on during the night. While here, residents were protected from the harsh sun and excessive downpours.
More: How to Get More From Your Verandah
In this renovation of a 1904 Queenslander, the architect has maximised the verandah space with cantilevered bi-fold and stacker doors. This allows the interior living space to flow into the verandah, creating an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor living.
As this renovation demonstrates, it’s also possible to expand the interior living space across the verandah, while maintaining privacy. Here, timber screens down the side of the verandah enclose the space, while openings at each end still allow cool air to flow through and light stream in.
3. Decorative timberwork
Queenslanders gained much of their character and charm from their exterior timberwork. Originally used to provide privacy and shelter from the subtropical climate, it quickly became a highly visual feature. Decorative and functional features, such as balustrades, pediments, column brackets, timber screens, and fretwork embellished the verandahs, gables and stairways.
Queenslanders gained much of their character and charm from their exterior timberwork. Originally used to provide privacy and shelter from the subtropical climate, it quickly became a highly visual feature. Decorative and functional features, such as balustrades, pediments, column brackets, timber screens, and fretwork embellished the verandahs, gables and stairways.
Inside this renovated 1920s Queenslander, timber balustrades are used on the stairwell, while a timber frieze acts as a visual divider between rooms. In dark natural wood, this timberwork stands out against the house’s clean white walls. It brings a linear style to the interior of the home that looks modern yet is still in keeping with the more traditional exterior of the home.
In this newly built Queenslander, oversized column brackets also visually divide rooms, while their linear and curving details work in harmony with the exterior of the home and the traditional furniture nearby. Painted in the same pale colour as the walls and surrounding timberwork, the effect is subtle and charming.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
As you can see here, the distinctive features for which the Queenslander home is much loved and admired can still be used to great functional and decorative effect today. We’d like to see how you have renovated your Queenslander, or even built one from scratch. Tell us in the comments section below, and please include some fabulous high resolution photographs.
MORE
5 City Terrace Houses That Surprise: Inside and Out
How to Give a Traditional Queenslander a Modern Makeover
My Houzz: Traditional Queenslander Gets a Fresh US-Style Face Lift
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
As you can see here, the distinctive features for which the Queenslander home is much loved and admired can still be used to great functional and decorative effect today. We’d like to see how you have renovated your Queenslander, or even built one from scratch. Tell us in the comments section below, and please include some fabulous high resolution photographs.
MORE
5 City Terrace Houses That Surprise: Inside and Out
How to Give a Traditional Queenslander a Modern Makeover
My Houzz: Traditional Queenslander Gets a Fresh US-Style Face Lift
The Queenslander can be traced back to the 1860s following an influx of people settling in the Brisbane area.
Early Queenslanders were simple and symmetrical single-storey structures also known as ‘timber and tins’ due to their simple use of materials. Timber was a popular material for construction – light, relatively cheap to transport, and quick to erect – and tin (or galvanised iron), like timber, was readily available.