More than a decade of hard work has paid off for a Brisbane family, with their clever renovation choices earning their home the title of Australian House of the Year. Zuzana Kovar and Nicholas Skepper saw their shophouse-style vision come to life when they found the Red Hill fixer-upper in 2011. Since buying the two-storey worker’s cottage, the husband and wife have opened their architectural practice. Working with less than 200 square metres, their design won its category in the 2024 Houses Awards and was also the overall winner.
Building smarter, not larger
The 1910 home’s age and „poor condition“ meant it was a good-value investment. „Smaller houses are inherently more affordable,“ Mr. Skepper said. One of the first things the couple did was swap the living and bedrooms to make the most of the available light and ventilation. The largest room in the home is used as an office but can also offer the family another living space. Houses Awards head juror Alexa Kempton said this kind of flexibility in room planning meant no space was left unused. The judging panel said this kind of flexible design became popular when COVID turned the concept of remote work into „a pretty confronting reality“, and many people still prefer to work from home. Ms. Kempton said this multi-use property was a good example of how personal and professional life could co-exist.
Keeping the backyard
The couple wanted to work within the existing home’s footprint, hoping to preserve the long block’s „good-sized backyard“. Large sliding glass doors and open spaces give the house a „semi-external quality“, offering the feel of a verandah without taking up precious garden space. Ms. Kempton described the home as a celebration of the Queensland undercroft, a feature that suits the city’s warm climate. She said the „wonderful, wild garden site“ offered plenty of shade and a great view. „[It also] maintains greenery in our inner suburbs, which is something that we’re really grappling with as we look at cities becoming increasingly dense,“ Ms. Kempton said.
In conclusion, the Brisbane family’s journey of transforming their Red Hill home into the Australian House of the Year showcases the power of thoughtful design and strategic renovation choices. By prioritizing functionality, flexibility, and sustainability, they have created a space that not only meets their personal needs but also sets a high standard for modern living. Their success serves as an inspiration for homeowners and architects alike, demonstrating that with dedication and creativity, any house can become a masterpiece.