Ask an Architect article

April 4, 2019

George Kouparitsas was recently interviewed by Get It LIVING magazine for their ‘Ask an Architect’ column, where he shared advice on how to generate greater return on your investment when renovating.

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The complete guide to designing a luxury home in Brisbane

Brisbane’s luxury property market is changing rapidly.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a wave of interstate migration, rising prestige property values and growing demand for homes that feel deeply personal rather than mass-produced. Discerning homeowners are no longer simply looking for larger houses. They are looking for homes that improve the way they live. And that shift is changing the role of architecture in Brisbane.

Chester House featured on Dream Homes Revealed Australia

We were honoured to have Chester House featured on Dream Homes Revealed Australia — a project that means a great deal to our team, not just for its design complexity but for the longstanding relationship behind it.

This home is the latest in a series of collaborations with a remarkable client, one we’ve had the privilege of working with multiple times over the past decade. Their impeccable taste, strong vision and willingness to push boundaries have shaped some of our most memorable work, and Chester House is no exception.

We’re deeply appreciative that they allowed this project to be filmed and shared with a broader audience. Opening your home to cameras is no small gesture, and it speaks volumes about the trust and mutual respect built over time.

Designing with Queenslanders: how to get it right, and why it matters

There’s something special about Queenslanders. The deep verandahs, timber detailing, and generous eaves weren’t just aesthetic choices… they were clever responses to climate, lifestyle, and culture. For many Brisbane suburbs, these homes aren’t just houses — they’re part of the identity of the street.

That’s why designing with Queenslanders isn’t like designing anything else. Whether you’re extending, lifting, or building new in a character area, these homes deserve a thoughtful approach. One that protects their charm, adapts them for modern living, and understands exactly what Council will (and won’t) support.

Top mistakes developers make when designing townhouses – and how to avoid them

Townhouses are one of the most in-demand housing types in Brisbane right now. They strike the right balance between density and liveability, and they suit a wide range of buyers, from downsizers and young families to investors looking for dual income.

But while the opportunity is strong, the reality is that many townhouse projects underperform, either due to design issues, planning delays, or poor market alignment. As an architect working closely with developers across Brisbane, I see a few common patterns that can make or break a project. Here are the top mistakes I see when it comes to townhouse design, and how to avoid them.

Navigating Brisbane Council regulations: what you need to know before designing your home

Designing your own home is one of the most exciting projects you can take on—but it’s also one of the most regulated. In Brisbane, there’s a lot to consider before you even put pen to paper: overlays, setbacks, lot size, zoning, heritage, bushfire risk... the list goes on.

It might sound a bit overwhelming at first. But here’s the thing: once you understand how the Brisbane City Council thinks about development, you can design with confidence—and create a home that works both for you and the site it sits on.

Designing sustainable homes in Brisbane’s climate: what to consider

Designing a home in Brisbane means working with a climate that’s warm, humid, and full of sunshine. As an architect based here, I’ve come to really appreciate how much the subtropical environment can shape great design. It’s not just about keeping cool (though that matters); it’s about creating homes that feel good to live in, work with the seasons, and tread lightly on the environment.

If you’re planning a new home and want it to be more sustainable, here are a few important things to keep in mind—especially when designing for Brisbane’s unique climate.

Designing two homes on one lot: what to know before developing a splitter block in Brisbane

Infill development can be a smart way to unlock value from land—and in Brisbane, splitter blocks offer one of the clearest pathways to doing just that. If you’ve got your eye on a site (or already own one) with potential to be split and developed into two homes, there’s a lot to gain—but also quite a bit to think through carefully before you get started.

I’ve worked with both first-time investors and seasoned developers on these types of projects. When done well, splitter block developments can deliver solid returns and create quality housing in areas where people actually want to live. The key? Smart design that aligns with Council expectations, market demand, and construction feasibility.

Brisbane’s infill development opportunities: what’s changing in 2025?

Infill development has long been a smart way to create new homes in established suburbs—but in 2025, Brisbane is entering a new chapter. With the housing crisis top of mind and infrastructure pressure growing across the region, planning policy is shifting to encourage more well-designed, medium-density housing—particularly within existing neighbourhoods.

Reimagining a Kindergarten institution in Clayfield

Sharing an update on one of our projects currently under construction in Brisbane – the Clayfield Prep-Prep revitalisation. This is a very special project… Clayfield Pre-Prep has been a much loved institution in the inner northern Brisbane community for decades and it really is an honour to be overseeing its architectural redesign and revitalisation.

To give you some insight into what’s planned, I wanted to share our inspiration for the design - inspired by the magic of childhood and early-years literature.

Concréte: a functionalist tribute to european modernism

George Kouparitsas Architects project, Concréte, was recently recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects at their Brisbane Awards with an Honourable Mention. Learn more about the project and why it was recognised as award worthy.