FOR
LEASE AS DESIGN GALLERY
Please contact Ray White Commercial Noosa, Dennis Glen on 07 5448 0073
or 0418 710 285.
Historic Queenslander available from July 2004. Building currently under
refurbishment, watch the progress on this website.
The Queensland House
The “Queensland House” or “Queenslander” is now a popular image
The attributes of the typical Queensland House are likely to include:
- Construction of timber with a steeply pitched corrugated-iron roof
- Highset on timber stumps
(now galvanised iron)
- Light timber frame with weatherboard
exterior walls
- Single skin tongue and groove
internal walls
- High tongue and groove internal
ceilings
- Verandahs with decorative timber and/or cast-iron trim
- Decorative features which
screen the sun & ventilate the interior
- Garden setting with picket fence, tropical fruit trees & palms
This distinctive building style took almost 40 years of settlement to develop and another 40 years to mature. Born in Colonial years, matured during Victorian period, flowering in the Federation era.
From the first European settlement at Moreton Bay in 1824 and a convict settlement the following year, the construction tradition was very much that of the British Military system. Bringing with them the vernacular construction styles of South India, Ceylon & Malaya, the homes were designed to suit the weather patterns and conditions of the tropics and sub-tropics.
From those first excursions up the Brisbane River, it was obvious that fine stands of Hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) were in abundance. Further inland were exceptional hardwood forests.
In 1853, William Pettigrew opened the first sawmill and timber construction became the viable option. Soon after, 19 steam sawmills operated in the surrounding areas. Beautiful pine floors were susceptible to termite attack until the galvanised-iron stump cap was perfected. The practice of elevating the home evolved gradually. Highset construction raised homes into the breeze, out of reach from floods and was effective on sloped sites.
It is possible to distinguish 6 broad periods of style, the “Queensland House” undertook.
- Colonial Period 1824-1860
- Victorian Period 1860-1890
- Federation Period 1890-1915
- Interwar Period 1915-1940
- Post war period 1940-1960
- Modern period 1960 onwards
References from “The Queensland House” edited by Rod Fisher & Brian Crozier 1994
The Queenslander Edward Browne built…
After purchasing The Rocks property in 1904, Edward Browne commenced construction of the Browne home. Records show that it was the second house to be built on the Maroochy River, with the main entrance oriented towards the south, the river acted as the principal transport route at that time.
Browne chose the Asymmetrical Pyramid/Hip house design, which was becoming increasing popular in Brisbane. Substantially investing in the new Browne home, the building was given generous proportions in the classic six room core style (internal ceiling heights of 3.52 metres and verandahs of 3.2 metres).
The Asymmetrical Pyramid/Hip house design gave six spacious rooms within the core. This was achieved by projecting a gabled roof extension from one side of the short-ridge roof.
Being timber-getters, the hoop pine and hardwood used in the construction of the home, were of the best quality and were felled within the immediate area.
After the initial construction, the home underwent a major refurbishment and renovation in 1920, when the southern and eastern verandahs were fully enclosed. Additionally a gabled extension was added to the western side for a new kitchen.
