An emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials, and a seamless flow between indoors and out are the defining features which make the Chater Street Residence in Brisbane an excellent example of mid-century modernist design and architecture.
Designed in 1966 by Donald Spencer and Spencer Architects, the Chater Street Residence can be regarded as a house of tomorrow with its flat roof and three diamond shaped pavilions. The compact three-bedroom home stands diagonally on the sizable 663sqm hillside allotment to best capture the warmth of the morning sun in the bedroom pavilion, and the afternoon sun in the living pavilion where evenings are enjoyed.
The living pavilion is private due to its windowless western wall facing the street. However, once past the front door, the floor to ceiling windows and doors spans almost two complete sides of the pavilion, with a shorter dividing wall separating the living area from the galley kitchen. Large timber ceiling beams extend across the lounge and pass through the glass walls, making it appear as though there is no glass or walls.
At the time the home was built, Spencer Architects were using new minimal frames for the glass doors and windows from Lidco, featuring no handles and only small latches to lock the doors. The orange oversized front door is a signature, and when one enters the home, the ceiling feels higher and the rooms lighter. All the internal and external doors are full ceiling height with no architraves, providing what would otherwise be a dark hallway with constant light. There are also two original dome skylights allowing natural light to illuminate the pantry and the bathroom.
The galley kitchen in in original condition with cork floor tiles, white laminate bench tops and dark timber cupboard doors, just as they were when installed in 1966. The exterior kitchen windows can slide in either direction, allowing the windows to be opened and used as a servery to the outdoor dining area, taking full advantage of the warm Queensland climate.
The flourishes of bespoke joinery are a special touch in this modernist home. The main bedroom has a floating timber bench along the full length of the windows, which incorporates a built-in dresser and mirror. The floating bench concept has also been repeated in the neighbouring third bedroom as this bedroom is currently utilised as a study. The bench appears now as if it is passing through the wall and is large enough to be used as a two-person office desk.
The home is still quite original with the only major change being a new bathroom which was installed by the previous owners, however, the current owners being only the third owners of the Chater Street Residence, have been committed to preserving the original design since their purchase in 2009. Since then, they have removed some out of character improvements made by the previous owners and added their strong, Polynesian influence combined and enhanced with classic Australian mid-century modernist design.
The landscaped gardens at the front of Chater Street have been heavily influenced from regular visits to Palm Springs Modernism Week, with the desert and cacti collection being a very practical and environmentally conscious design for the Queensland climate. Whereas their Polynesian influences with an outside Tiki hut positioned at the rear of a perfect sized in-ground pool cleverly combines with Japanese gardens, goldfish pond and art installations.
Excerpts taken from ‘Australian Modern Design’ – Chris Osborne
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