Inside The Award-Winning Home That Won Over an Architect

A Brisbane architect who was not even looking for a new home when he wandered into one of the city’s most celebrated houses is now offering it to the market.

Commercial architect and Managing Director at TVS Architects, Michael Kisluk, was living around the corner from 102A Rome Street South, Yeronga, when a real estate sign caught his attention four years ago.

“I saw the A-frame, wandered down to see which house was for sale and, as soon as I walked in, thought, ‘I’ve got to have this house’,” Mr Kisluk said.

“I wasn’t planning to buy. But after 35 years as an architect, I knew immediately that this was not a normal house – it was something special.”

Designed by renowned architect Shane Thompson, the four-bedroom residence was named the Australian Institute of Architects’ Brisbane House of the Year in 2006.

Set across 770sqm, the home was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the Queenslander, using timber, glass, louvres and soaring double-height spaces to respond to Brisbane’s subtropical climate.

“As an architect, it was the quality of the detailing and the way the house worked that struck me,” Mr Kisluk said.

“Everything can be adjusted to suit the day. You can open the louvres for ventilation, lower the electric blinds as the sun moves and open the sliding doors until it feels as though you’re living on a verandah.

“It is surrounded by tropical greenery and looks across the neighbouring gardens, so it almost feels like living in a botanic garden.”

Mr Kisluk said recreating the property today would be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, particularly after accounting for the cost of comparable land, architectural design, specialist construction and materials.

“The frameless glass, the timberwork and the level of detail would be extraordinarily expensive to reproduce now,” he said.

“You could spend years buying the land, designing and building something comparable. For someone who appreciates architecture, this is an opportunity to buy all of that already resolved.”

Place Camp Hill agent Julia Doyle said the home remained as relevant almost two decades after receiving its major architectural honour.

“The award attracts attention, but the real test of architecture is how it feels to live in years later,” Ms Doyle said.

“This home is beautiful, but it is also incredibly responsive to its environment. Every element has a purpose, from its orientation and ventilation to the way the living spaces open completely to the landscape.

“We expect it will appeal to a buyer who understands that homes with this level of thought, detail and craftsmanship are becoming increasingly difficult to recreate.”

Mr Kisluk is selling to downsize with his partner.

“It’s hard to leave because it has been the most beautiful house to live in and a fantastic party house. We’ve made a lot of great memories there,” he said.

“But we’re ready to downsize and let someone else enjoy it.”

The property is being marketed through Julia Doyle of Place Camp Hill, with top offers closing at 2pm on Tuesday, August 11.