The Baroona Road precinct in the inner city suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane is well known for its village character. The refurbishment enhances the unique qualities of the area by reusing materials and contrasting the old with the new.
The area includes a polyglot of shops and commercial buildings of many eras existing in a strange discordant harmony. For many years the prominent corner at the entry to the village was known for is unusual dilapidated two-storey brick and stucco building.
The extensive refurbishment of this 1940s/50s corner building, which previously housed a doctor’s surgery and small flats, has focused on activating the main street frontage. The refurbishment includes a new dining pavilion, integrated via a landscaped courtyard with the refurbishment of the ground floor for a new dining tenancy, and the conversion of the upper floor to a boutique office space.
The work carefully weaves together the elements, reusing existing materials wherever possible and employing new materials of a similar nature, whilst clearly identifying the old versus new. An almost domestic scale, with considered detailing adds to the texture of the project and enhances the character of the site that is an intrinsic part of the village.
