Rosalie by DAH.Architecture

Shaped by the vernacular of Queensland’s leafy Bardon, Rosalie by DAH.Architecture is a durable, flexible and light-filled family home.

The homeowners approached DAH.Architecture with a clear ambition: to create a contemporary family home that would sit comfortably within Bardon’s established character and elevate their everyday lives with thoughtful amenity. Faced with a generous yet narrow site, the design team embraced its sloped topography with a meticulously planned, two-level home. “With the site’s long proportions, careful consideration was given to facade articulation and site access, ensuring the home addresses the street with presence yet subtlety,” says director David Hansford.

Rosalie’s built form responds to Bardon’s vernacular of traditional Queenslander homes interspersed with contemporary builds.

Rosalie’s built form responds to Bardon’s vernacular of traditional Queenslander homes interspersed with contemporary builds. Drawing on local construction traditions, DAH.Architecture composed an articulated facade combining stone cladding, concrete and white weatherboard – “bridging the gap between the familiar and the new,” suggests Hansford. The home’s form steps gently with the land’s natural fall, creating an understated street presence animated by subtle gestures in massing, roofline and landscaping. “This careful balance between blending in and standing out ensures that the project respects its surroundings while contributing meaningfully to the neighbourhood’s evolving character,” adds Hansford.

From its street-level entry, Rosalie unfolds with quiet confidence, revealing a spacious, considered family home designed to connect with its environment. The upper-level features five generously sized bedrooms and three bathrooms, forming a restful retreat above the more social zones below. Descending to the ground floor, the home opens into a sequence of living and dining spaces, anchored by a sunken lounge that gently steps down toward the garden, blurring boundaries between indoors and out. These spaces stretch the site’s full length, harnessing the northern aspect to maximise natural light and breezes while framing tranquil views of Bardon’s lush, leafy backdrop.

Throughout, Rosalie balances contemporary minimalism with warmth and texture through a restrained, natural material palette.

Throughout, Rosalie balances contemporary minimalism with warmth and texture through a restrained, natural material palette. Light timbers, stone and textured renders soften the home’s clean architectural lines and ground it within its natural context. “The palette enhances the play of light and shadow across the facade and interiors, creating a dynamic yet timeless aesthetic that responds beautifully to Brisbane’s climate,” reflects Hansford. Wholehearted Studio curated a harmonious selection of furniture, art and objects –including commissioned works by Lauren Horton and ceramics by Nioka Clay and Tess Miller – layering the interiors with personality and tactility and reinforcing the home’s connection to both place and purpose.

Rosalie stands as a testament to DAH.Architecture’s unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, innovation and purposeful design. From polished concrete floors to meticulously detailed off-form concrete planters and stone-clad feature walls, every material and junction has been carefully considered. “Rosalie typifies our commitment to high-quality construction as well as our dedication to building low-maintenance, durable residences that stand the test of time,” says Hansford. Beyond its robust materiality, Rosalie is carefully shaped to support family life – zoned for functionality, responsive to its environment and enriched with thoughtful architectural details that elevate everyday living.

Architecture and interior design by DAH.Architecture. Build by Zone 1 Projects.