One for all: York

One of the first things architect Stewart Smith always considers during his design process is functionality. “We want to make sure that both adults and children can use a space,” says Stewart, who is the director of Smith Architects. “And secondly, we look for beauty, aesthetics and form, because we’re constantly trying to push this idea that function is key, and if something doesn’t work, then it’s simply bad design.”

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York by Smith Architects reimagines a traditional Queenslander.

Image: Christopher Frederick Jones

His recent renovation of clients David and Sarah’s pre-war residence in Queensland’s Coorparoo couldn’t characterize his “good looks meets function” ethos any better. The design refreshingly re-imagines the traditional Queenslander, with an emphasis on natural palettes, sensual textures and hard-working plans. It’s a home that has been expressly tailored to the clients’ needs, and nowhere is this more evident than in the main bathroom, where Stewart designed joinery that David and Sarah’s two small children Amelie and Henry can happily stand on.

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The main bathroom’s joinery is designed to support the children – and their independence.

Image: Christopher Frederick Jones

The low-level cabinetry essentially functions as a ladder for the two little ones and is both fun and effective, allowing them to be self-sufficient. Down the track, the standard-height mirrored cabinet above the hand basin will accommodate them as teenagers. As Stewart explains, “David and Sarah wanted a home that feels sophisticated yet relaxed. They weren’t looking for anything that was trendy, but rather something that will suit the personality of their entire family, now and in ten years’ time.”

Stewart’s innovative use of joinery extends to the ensuite, which is enclosed by cabinetry instead of walls. It opens up to the main bedroom and study and has an immersive quality that makes it a real sanctuary. The material palette echoes that used in the main bathroom, with tiled flooring lending luxe appeal and crisp, white wall tiles adding a contemporary sensibility. These wall tiles have been vertically configured to complement the extension’s timber cladding and are repeated in the kitchen, ensuring that the design coheres inside and out.

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Sleek yet substantial, the island bench doubles as a breakfast bar.

Image: Christopher Frederick Jones

The kitchen itself is an eloquent study in modern living. Its light-coloured walls and ceiling, oak joinery and blackbutt flooring create a serene backdrop for busy everyday life. Stewart reconfigured the room from the west of the house to the east so it receives plenty of morning light; in addition, the generously sized island incorporates a breakfast bar. The detailing and craftsmanship found in the bathrooms is echoed here, from the inclusion of two sinks (a non-negotiable brief requirement) to the open shelving system that doubles as a pasta-drying frame and cake cooling rack. This is a home that perfectly suits its family and will support them to comfortably grow as time goes on.