Vale mid-century Brisbane home

Very few people bat an eyelid when post-war homes are demolished in Brisbane.

Call me sentimental but I always shed a silent tear for the mid-century homes destroyed, especially when they are replaced with McMansion style homes. It seems an absolute shame that well-designed mid-century homes are fast disappearing from our urban landscape, much like the reckless destruction of Queenslander style homes during the 80s and 90s.

The other week a 1957 architect designed home in the neighbourhood was quietly demolished. It was sold earlier this year. It had previously kept company with homes of a similar style in the street for nearly 60 years. I shudder to think what will be built in its place...however, one must be optimistic!

Jason and I inspected the mid-century house and even contemplated making it ours...unfortunately the timing and our meagre finances were not in our favour (and what would we do with the Sow's Ear?). We are sad we weren't able to buy it and save it from its eventual fate...

I am not sure who the original architect was but, in the mid 1960s, a substantial extension by well-known Brisbane architect Robert Froud (one of the architects of Torbreck) was added to the home.

The home was built at a time of great possibilities. It was by no means a flashy house but in its day it would have been quite cutting-edge compared to the standard post-war homes found in suburban Brisbane. The simple timber and brick home was constructed at an angle on the block to capture the best possible aspect.

The home's entry was quite stunning - floor to ceiling glass was used to create a light-filled and welcoming first impression. An internal rockery with a leafy palm tree located near the front door was a sweet mid-century flourish.

A panelled wall which spanned from the top to the bottom of the split-level home when accessing the internal staircase was another stunning feature. All four bedrooms and the main bathroom were located upstairs, while the kitchen, dining and living were on the ground floor. A second bathroom, laundry and utilities room were situated downstairs.

Timber panelled feature wall

In the picture below there is a large boulder embedded through a wall of glass that formed part of the Froud design. The brick extension was an extra family room which included timber built-in wall cabinets and a sloped beamed ceiling which cut into the original ceiling quite seamlessly.

There was definitely an emphasis on bringing the outdoors inside when the house was designed. It was also obvious that the landscaping was well-considered, with meandering garden paths and rock-edged garden beds dotted throughout the yard.

A boulder feature which goes through a glass wall

mid-century house exterior on auction day

The kitchen was in near original condition and had what would've been an expensive stove in its day - the St George Supermatic!

My modernist friend Susan inspecting the oven situation

The home had so many possibilities and I am certain that if the home was in the right hands it would've made a spectacular and stylish abode. Clearly the new owners thought differently.  And so it is with great sadness that I bring you the last photograph of the mid-century home.

demolished mid-century home 

Vale mid-century Brisbane home. May your successor be as full of possibilities and as sweet.