For homes in bushfire-prone areas, resilience involves more than simply selecting fire-resistant materials. How a house is positioned on the site, designed, detailed and landscaped can all influence how it performs during a bushfire.

Designing homes to live with flood risk Flooding is part of living in Brisbane. If you're planning a renovation or new home on a flood-affected property, the immediate response is often: “How do we keep the water out?” Sometimes that's possible. But another important question is: “If flooding does occur, how can we minimise the damage and recover more quickly?” That's the principle behind flood resilient design. Rather than relying on a single solution, flood resilience consi

Renovating a Queenslander presents a unique set of opportunities and constraints. Done well, it can significantly improve both the way the home functions and its long-term value

But getting the best from a bayside property involves more than simply adding floor area. The existing house, orientation, site levels, neighbouring properties, planning constraints and the way the home connects with its outdoor spaces should all inform the design.

Renovating a Queenslander presents a unique set of opportunities and constraints. Done well, it can significantly improve both the way the home functions and its long-term value

Brisbane’s post-war homes make up a significant part of the city’s established suburbs. Generally simpler than the traditional Queenslanders that preceded them, they were built at a time when materials and labour were constrained and houses tended to be smaller, more economical and less elaborate.

When you're planning a renovation or new home, it's tempting to start with the design. You probably already have ideas about how the house might look, rooms you'd like to add and a collection of images showing the style you're after. But before asking “What should we design?”, there are some more important questions to answer.