"Hearth and Home" - River Hearth House in Green Magazine

A Brisbane site’s history and surrounding natural splendour are creatively blended with the needs of its new inhabitants and, anchored by the authentic brick fireplace at its heart, the residence expands harmoniously, fostering fresh interactions.

After cycling past this site on numerous occasions, the clients were drawn to something in this house which prompted them to enlist Arcke to explore renovation or reconstruction options. “Our approach to research always involves preserving what we can and leverag[ing] the existing footprint,” noted Arcke’s director, Matt Kennedy. Initial assessments uncovered extensive flood and termite damage, requiring the difficult choice to rebuild.

Understanding that this project required a rebuild, Matt began by asking how the original mid-century house could be reinterpreted. A goal was established early on in the process to reuse as many materials from the site as possible. “We matched bricks, did an inventory of the amount of timber we could reuse and salvaged these beautiful 1960s tiles that we ended up using in the lower courtyard,” explains Matt. “It was thinking sustainably by repurposing the materials you already had as well as bringing some of the soul or energy of that original house back into the new form.” Reclaimed and recycled materials can be seen throughout the entire project from the timber flooring, external timber cladding and some of the more decorative elements. The proposal aspired to honour the original residence’s essence while adapting to the lifestyle of the new occupants, offering expansive views across the property and seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.

The home is a collection of small, interconnected structures encircling the repurposed brick fireplace. Arcke was tasked with designing two distinct workspaces for the couple: a functional home office for him and a spacious studio for her creative pursuits and woodcarving workshops. This unique requirement sparked an engaging design conversation, with each of these spaces acting as an introduction to the home. The journey from the street unfolds gradually, guided by the duo of workspaces, ultimately revealing the courtyard featuring the fireplace. Nestled amid mature trees, the dwelling provides various opportunities to pause and enjoy views of the river.

Read the full story here.