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River Hearth House - Australian Institute of Architects Awards

by Jeremy Thomason on

In 2021, our team undertook a Knockdown and Rebuild of a breath-taking architectural home in the picturesque Chelmer, nestled alongside the majestic Brisbane river which has now been recognised in the 2023 Australian Institute of Architecture Awards. Despite facing the daunting onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we navigated through treacherous waters of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and soaring prices. With sheer determination and unyielding dedication, our team overcame these obstacles, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of perfection. 

In its infancy the project faced some challenges as the architects initial design came in significantly over budget which posed a hurdle for our clients. We worked through a complete redesign with Arcke and the clients and brought the project down to a manageable number while ensuring the design still did justice to this beautiful piece of land. One of the cost saving measures we put forward was the substitution of the free formed concrete swimming pool to a precast pool. We worked with the team at Plungie to ensure an awesome outcome for the client. 

Today, we stand proud as this endeavour has been bestowed with well-deserved recognition of the The Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) (Qld) at the prestigious 2023 Australian Institute of Architecture Awards. It serves as a shining example of our unwavering passion, showcasing the craftsmanship that goes into achieving architectural excellence in its built form. From its inception to completion, every step was meticulously executed, resulting in an outstanding outcome.

This remarkable project not only stands as a testament to our team's ability to adapt and thrive amidst adversity but also serves as a symbol of our unrelenting pursuit of architectural excellence. We invite you to experience the grandeur and sophistication that has earned accolades in the industry..

Click here to view a video of the finished project.


Bluebird Design + Build are Brisbane’s luxury custom home design and build specialists who work with you every step to design and build a home that looks excellent, matches your budget and meets your family's needs. Find out more about our team here or book a discovery call to see how we can help.