This Pocket-sized Brisbane Wonder is Flipping the Script on Modest-Space Living.

In a world where bigger often means better (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), a tiny pre-1911 cottage in Brisbane makes a statement by embracing the art of reduction without falling into the trap of oversized contemporary additions that we see all too often. Sitting on a modest 253-square-metre site, this clever transformation by Lineburg Wang proves its possible to extract surprising generosity from the most constrained spaces.

The architects’ strategy? Build less, but make it count. The existing cottage was shifted forward on the block, creating space for what they’ve dubbed “the special room”—a flexible, open-plan zone that defies conventional thinking about home planning. This singular addition serves as the project’s heartbeat, operating as a shape-shifting zone that adapts to whatever life throws at it.

Red Hill House and Studio by Zuzana & Nicholas.

The real showstopper of this home is a multi-functional room that's open to both the garden and the street, blurring the lines between private and public spaces.

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What makes this project remarkable is its commercial tower-inspired utility core—a vertical stack housing everything from a ground-floor laundry to a mid-level fridge and pantry, culminating in (wait for it) a DJ booth at the top—boom! Now, that’s what I call smart space planning.

The extension’s materiality speaks of permanence and practicality, with robust brick and block construction elevated above the adjacent overland flow path. When the doors slide open, interior and exterior spaces merge into one generous volume, while strategically placed walls edit out neighbouring views, instead borrowing vistas of the nearby green belt.

Inside the original cottage, the private spaces maintain their historical charm, with original posts and ornate trims sensibly preserved. The extension, meanwhile, plays a respectful supporting role, keeping its profile low and sliding beneath the existing roofline.

This project challenges our preconceptions about minimum space requirements in contemporary homes. By building less but building better, Lineburg Wang has created a space that can evolve with its occupants. It’s an architecture that doesn’t dictate how you should live but instead opens up possibilities for how you might want to live.

Through clever manipulation of sight lines, shared volumes, and adaptable spaces, this modest home feels anything but small, proving that sometimes, the most revolutionary approach is simply knowing what to leave out. Respect.

Bijou by the Beach: Anywhere Apartment by Brad Swartz Architects.

This home combines honest materials with sleek stainless steel elements, creating a versatile home that pays subtle homage to its beachside location while maintaining its own distinct identity.

[Images courtesy of Lineburg Wang. Photography by David Chatfield.]