Stafford Heights Modern
Saturday : 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Guided tours
View Details
Stafford Heights Modern is a thoughtful renovation of a high-set 1960s home, carefully balancing preservation with contemporary living. The project sought to celebrate the home’s existing modernist charm while addressing years of wear-and-tear and updating it for modern life.
Perched on a steep, east-facing site in the leafy suburb of Stafford Heights, the original 3-bed, 1-bath home was showing its age — with a leaky roof, tired interiors, and a need for some serious TLC. The client, along with her canine companion, saw an opportunity to breathe new life into this hidden gem rather than start fresh.
The design focuses on:
- Enhancing the mid-century character: Retaining key elements while adding contemporary touches.
- New spaces with a view: Introducing an elevated dining room and generous deck to embrace the site’s outlook.
- Functional rejuvenation: General repairs, maintenance, and thoughtful updates to improve day-to-day living.
The result is a light-filled, bright, and playful home that honors its past while providing calm, functional spaces suited to modern life. With improved ventilation, natural light, and a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, the home now supports both physical and mental wellbeing — especially relevant in an era of increased working from home.
The project highlights the potential of Brisbane’s post-war housing stock and the value of retaining and renovating rather than demolishing. Quietly confident in the streetscape, Stafford Heights Modern is proof that with the right approach, even the most unassuming homes can be transformed into something special.
The 2025 Houses Program is presented in partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects’ QLD Chapter and its Members.
Please note: tickets for the 2025 Houses Program are non-refundable.
Tour Information
Frequency of Guided Tours: 9.00am, 10.00am, 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm. Tour would be 30-40mins with time for questions.
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Saturday : 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday : 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pre-booked guided tours and some general access // General access and guided tours
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is located across two architecturally significant riverside buildings in South Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct.
The Queensland Art Gallery building opened in 1982 as part of the first stage of South Bank’s Cultural Precinct. In December 2006, a new Robin Gibson-designed entry was added at Stanley Place — a sweeping glass structure through which the public can see into the interior.
In July 2002, Sydney-based company Architectus was commissioned by the Queensland Government following an Architect Selection Competition, to design the Gallery’s second site, the Gallery of Modern Art.
‘It is not only a place for the collection and exhibition of our art works, it is a place where the walls and barriers of the Gallery are broken down, where there is a constant source of interchange between the art world and the public.’ – Robin Gibson, architect’s statement.
‘The duality of the design approach [for GOMA] is that the architecture is impressive and monumental without losing its openness and freshness, and without being intimidating; international yet responsive to local conditions and the south-east Queensland context. By adopting this approach the architects propose to realise one of the Gallery’s most important aims – to place the institution in the public experience of the city.’ – Lindsay and Kerry Clare, architect’s statement.
Daily Guided tours
Join a special Brisbane Open House tour of the architectural spaces in the galleries daily at 11.15am (GOMA) and 1.15pm (QAG).
For full program details and the condition of entry policy, visit qagoma.qld.gov.au
Tour Information
Frequency of Guided Tours: Volunteer guided tours of exhibitions and the Gallery Collection are scheduled daily in both galleries at 11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm and 2.00pm. Check the website for more details.
Additional Activities
Refreshments available, Food & Beverage
Wheelchair access
Yes
Is Heritage listed
Yes
Awards
Recent Architectural or Engineering Awards: GOMA – 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Public Architecture QAG – Sir Zelman Cowan Award for Architecture