Twin Houses

Just 6.5km from Brisbane’s city centre, the suburb of Tarragindi is known for its post-war homes on generous blocks. As many of these houses were built after 1946, they’re often eligible for removal, opening the door for redevelopment. In recent years, this has seen the rise of bulky, generic builds that locals jokingly refer to as “ocean-liners” – oversized homes with street-facing garage doors and awkward verandahs above.

This project takes a different approach. The client, unlike many in the area, wasn’t a developer. Instead, they were interested in a smart, sustainable infill project – one that was smaller in scale, prioritised landscaping, and offered flexibility for future changes.

The result is a pair of elevated homes designed to work with, rather than against, their surroundings. Beneath each house is a shaded undercroft – a versatile space for parking, storage or play that can be built in over time. With the help of a landscape architect, lush planting connects the two homes across narrow 7.7m-wide lots. There are no front fences, creating a shared, welcoming streetscape that encourages neighbourly connection and provides natural surveillance.

Instead of a front door opening into bedrooms, entry is via a central courtyard – a breezy space that links the lower and upper levels, creating a natural flow through the home. Living areas are positioned at the rear, opening out to the garden via large sliding doors, while bedrooms sit quietly at the front. Simple but smart design features – like full-height louvres, raked ceilings, and a vine-covered street trellis – help manage light, privacy and ventilation, while also keeping the home comfortable year-round.

Importantly, the home was designed to comply with council regulations, avoiding the time and cost of a development application. Standard building materials and modular construction techniques helped keep costs down, while thoughtful planning with the builder and engineer eliminated the need for retaining walls or a concrete slab – reducing both trades and environmental impact.

Every decision came back to flexibility. The layout is designed around a central spine, with rooms that can be rearranged or extended over time, adapting to different families and changing needs. While the original plan was to live in one home for a year and sell both, the owner fell in love with the project. They’ve decided to stay, and have happily rented out the neighbouring house to another local family – a testament to the livability and charm of this quietly revolutionary infill.

Wheelchair access

No