From the street, it reads as one generous waterfront home. In reality, this Newport residence is a cleverly composed pair of houses designed to bring a mother and son together while allowing each to live, work and entertain on their own terms.

Designed by Architects Jasper Brown and Michael Bailey, this beautiful Queensland property blends family connection and privacy while showcasing breathtaking waterfront views.

Two Homes, One Story

The Newport Residence embodies the vision of a stunning yet comfortable home designed exclusively for a mother and son who jointly run a business while leading independent lives.

The brief was for two houses, which are read as a single dwelling from both the street and the water. The houses share a continuous, gently sloping roof that falls to the west. Each house has a distinct spatial character, one more introverted and private, and the other a more extroverted “party house” which is more volumetrically explorative.

“The mother cherishes her privacy, seeking comfort in a tranquil home. In contrast, the son and his partner love entertaining. Despite coming together for their business and their shared love for dogs, each individual maintains a strong sense of independence. So, our aim was to craft a communal space where the family could gather while preserving their need for privacy. This setup would enable each family member to retreat to their distinct domains which they loved. The acquisition of a spacious waterfront property certainly opened up an array of possibilities.”

Jasper Brown, Architect

The main house has a sunken living space, a media room, and a bedroom retreat occupying the entire first floor level. A deep-set lounge in marshmallow pink leather draws the water into the house, while lashings of copper bounce warmth around the living area.

The wet-edge pool is delicately tucked under the roof and blends seamlessly into the lake to appear as part of the topography of the landscape.

In bringing together their vision of connection, collaboration and privacy, Jasper and Michael effectively created an entertainer’s paradise.

The exquisite residence features a striking double-storey expanse, thoughtfully designed to capitalise on breathtaking views while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the mother’s quarters.

Clever Materials

The residence was created with a singular focal point, the communal courtyard – a collective green space that brings light and views to the bedrooms. A communal home office and gym overlook this space.

“We strategically placed the courtyard at the very centre, to serve as a hub that would effortlessly unite both families for work and play.”

Michael Bailey, Architect

The most distinctive feature was the incorporation of curves into the design, facilitating a graceful connection between various spaces, enhancing a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor areas.

“We needed to solve the architectural challenge of curves. While curves introduce synchronicity, they also posed a construction challenge.”

Jasper Browm, Architect

The use of curves can pose challenges, especially in terms of structural integrity, and to realise the architectural vision for Newport Residence, it was essential to find a material that could meet design requirements, withstand harsh weather conditions, and provide effective insulation. For its versatility and proven performance, Hebel met every requirement.

As one of the first Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) products used extensively in Australian homes, Hebel remains the benchmark that many builders measure against, and the high-performance building product emerged as the clear choice.

“Considering the builder’s confidence in Hebel panels ability to be faceted, and shape the desired curves, it was ideal, from both a design and materials perspective. Choosing Hebel gave us confidence, its versatility meant we could deliver and exceed expectations on a very particular and demanding design brief.”

Jasper Brown, Architect

Hebel’s versatility makes it an ideal solution for floors, walls and ceilings. The material can be rendered directly, enabling designers and builders to achieve clean, striking feature walls without additional substrates or complexity.

“Using a product that is already readily available and commonly used, something that tradespeople are familiar with, means assured confidence.”

Jasper Brown, Architect

However, even more relevant was the product’s adaptability, enabling it to create elegant curves within transitional spaces. This not only achieved a harmonious aesthetic but also directed the flow between one zone and another with ease.

“A distinctive design outcome was how Hebel anchored the ground floor, adding weight to the base. This allowed for the intricate design detailing of the top floor to take on a light, floating aspect, subtly paying tribute to the property’s waterfront location.”

Michael Bailey, Architect

It is robust yet pliant, a crucial feature considering the demanding waterfront environment that required materials capable of withstanding tough conditions while maintaining stability and strength.

“Light plays a pivotal role in invigorating these distinctive spaces, but it is the curves that genuinely cultivate a sense of softness and gentleness, enabling a delightful play of light to unfold throughout the day.”

Michael Bailey, Architect

Ultimately, a prototype for multigenerational residences, these homes with distinctive personalities show what’s possible when high-functioning design strikes a balance between autonomy and communal living.

_{Top image: courtesy of Mindi Cooke and Cathy Schusler}

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