Open plan living and private sleeping spaces overlook and connect to a lush, hidden courtyard at the heart of the Helensvale Haus.
Designed and delivered by Australian Housing Developer, Happy Haus, the Helensvale Haus is a clever courtyard home for a young couple in a new suburban estate in South East Queensland. The 350sqm, 4 bedroom house is situated on a medium sized lot, which is closely bordered by the estates’ project-style, cookie cutter homes. These homes are organised in rows that have the potential to encroach on the privacy of the home, making that one of the major design considerations for the architects.
The home’s modern box facade offers a barrier from the street, offering the aforementioned privacy for both the indoor and outdoor spaces. On entry, through large doors at the front, you get a sense of this privacy and the separation from the street. This leads to the open plan living and kitchen area which are bordered by glass sliding doors, allowing seamless cross ventilation and connection to the central lush courtyard. This singular element is what allows the Helensvale house breathe. Each area of the home can be opened up to natural light and air, allowing the home take advantage of the sub-tropical climate.
Upstairs, the versatility of the house becomes apparent. A series of bedrooms, bathrooms and a quiet living space all face inwards to the courtyard. The second retreat-style living area adds flexibility to the home, allowing the residents a secluded rest space away from the open ground floor.
“Suburban estates are rarely sites for architecturally designed homes that focus on clients’ needs and lifestyles. Often, volume-built homes dominate these sites as they are focused on cost outcomes only. Our philosophy is to create homes where design, quality and cost have been equal partners in the process. Architecturally designed homes don’t need to be expensive or unattainable; understanding your needs and budget are the most important factors when approaching a build. We delivered this home for far less than the standard Australian build cost at $2150 per m2, and more similar to the construction rates of the neighboring homes.”
Lachlan Grant, Managing Director, Happy Haus