Plazibat Architects Bring Back Brisbane Backyard

Plazibat Architects newest project in Brisbane’s New Farm has shown how to problem solve long and narrow outdoor spaces by embracing the traditional ‘backyard.’The project is a brick and timber residence built around an enclosed courtyard. It aims to put the focus on communal spaces with a garden area and large semi-indoor entertaining area.

The house was redeveloped to put a series of rooms into an ‘L’ shape after previously being set up in the more traditional around the edge design.

Principal at Plazibat Architects Shane Plazibat

, told Architecture and Design he believes the benefits of the design are in the allowance of natural elements.

“The courtyard functions as a spatial generator allowing enhanced natural light and ventilation to the rooms facing it. [Its] placement allows most rooms to achieve a northerly orientation,” he said.

The entry of the house includes an elevated flight of stairs from the street with a double volume space and a feature wall.

Materialistically the house includes timber and brick cladding, rendered block walls and aluminium screens.

“We needed to address local character requirements. The response included how the form and roof were expressed along with material selection,”Plazibat said.

Emphasis was placed particularly on integrating material, function and form.

The project deals with the trend of disappearing outdoor spaces in inner city homes and aims to bring back traditional elements of local neighbourhoods, particularly New Farm.