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Latemore Design, 59 Chermside Street, Brisbane (2026)

16/10/2026

𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗙
What do you do when it is nearly impossible to get a roof above a patio region?
We have been able to solve this dilemma recently via some collaborative thinking with our owner and engineer. There was a low roof in the U - shaped space but it felt quite constrained and unappealing. Light into the neighbouring rooms was also restricted. The building is a classic 1930’s brick and tile structure which added difficulties.
An obvious answer was to lift a structure above the current steep rooves. This was investigated, but the placement of structure onto existing walls, through the roof tiles produced a very dominating and high result. This would have allowed weather in. As a result, we looked for a solution that provided height and ease of construction. It was also necessary to provide a weatherproof result.
So, what did we do?
As you can see in the photographs, the added roof has a similar pitch to the house but uses cellular polycarbonate sheeting to bring in a lot of natural light. This still needed some softening, so powder-coated aluminium battens were used over the rafter structure. The existing gutters were replaced with oversized versions to ensure the rainwater egresses from both rooves.
The geometry that resulted and was carefully modelled and encouraged a very particular structural solution from our engineer. Together, we designed a steel bracket that could hold up the new roof structure and still allow the gutter to be located. This bracket is placed beside the existing rafters transferring loads onto the existing walls.
The result is a usable light filled space all year round that has enhanced the nearby dining, family room and kitchen.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.

08/10/2026

𝗠𝗨𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠𝗦
Mud rooms are becoming increasingly popular when we design major projects. They are usually a room or small space between a garage internal door and the next room or can often be combined with a laundry.
Their main purpose is to provide a space for the ‘dirty stuff’, such as sports gear, garden wellies, shoes, raincoats, school bags, umbrellas, anything you don’t want to bring immediately into the house. They are particularly useful if there is a cupboard, hanging hooks, mini clothesline and/or a place to sit.
A few of our clients have a mud room especially for the dog bed or crate. They can be incorporated in the cabinetry to allow the dog to see the house without disturbing the visitors. They can also be good spots for the cat litter tray.
Occasionally we have combined an ante room with a laundry so that the requirements are somewhat separated between clothes washing and the other activities that are associated with mudrooms.
The northern hemisphere utilizes cloak rooms which are similar to these mud rooms, a place for the transition from outside to inside, mainly to deal with the snow outside. This is probably where the idea came from.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.

01/10/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘
Everyone knows that a pool must be fenced to stop accidental drownings. There are a lot of rules around how this is accomplished and there are ways to make it look less like a prison.
One trick we have often applied is to bring a pool closer to a building, combining the pool fence requirement with handrails. Handrails must be 1m high and pool fencing must be a minimum of 1.2m high. As such there are ways to make this look quite reasonable. One of the favourite versions is glass, because it has the least viewing restrictions, although it can be one of the most expensive.
What does 1200mm height mean?
There are many pages in the regulations concerning this; mainly it must be 1200mm high above the finished outside surface, have a non-climbable zone (NCZ) of 900mm on the outside, and it mustn’t have openings greater than 100mm. (Smaller than a baby’s head). There must not be anything climbable outside the pool area, within a radius of 900mm, with all sorts of geometry. This includes posts and shrubs near the pool that can be climbed by small children.
A special height rule that can be very useful is the non-descendible 1800mm barrier. This means a fence with compliant non-climbable zones can be used. A deck above a pool is allowed if it is 1800mm above the water.
If you have any doubt about your current pool, it is a good idea to get an accredited pool inspector involved.
The attached diagram can explain things a bit more graphically. It came from the QBCC website. There is a great deal more to this and if you want the full details within the standard QDC MP3.4. This also references the Australian Standard AS 1926.1 and AS 1926.2.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.

24/09/2026

𝟭𝟬 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗘𝗥
Today's post expands on a few we have done over the years of how to think about a potential renovation project.
The focus this time is about how to get yourself ready, which is a bit like having a brief in readiness for your designer or architect, but this is more about the preliminary steps for that bigger process.
1. What is starting your thinking about the project?
2. Are you clear about what you are wanting to do or do you need suggestions?
3. What are your main reasons for doing the project?
4. What do you like or dislike about your current building?
5. What do you know about constraints that are applicable to your property, or do you need us to tell you about that? In conjunction with this, what about budget and any time constraint?
6. How do you imagine the renovation or extension is going to be placed or work? EG Are you sure it is an extension for just a renovation internally, or maybe even a separate building?
7. Have you thought about style and materials? Would you like your extension to look modern or match the existing?
8. Is there anything about your external part of the property that matters a lot to you such as trees or the pool?
9. Have you done a project in the past and what did that teach you?
10. Have you worked out in the household who is going to have the most say and be the project manager?
If you have some of these answers before you talk to your designer, it may assist in being more efficient with both your times. Be ready for further questions though.
Following on from this can be a good time to produce a more thorough brief. We have a special page on the website for a very thorough checklist.
https://latemoredesign.com.au/brief-checklist/
You could also check out some of our FB videos where Peter has presented at Home Shows with a talk called 10 Tips Before You Build Or Renovate which is a bit broader in its scope. There are more on the website.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

17/09/2026

𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 & 𝟭𝟮𝟬𝘀𝗾𝗺 𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗦
Before 2027, the BCC City Plan is undergoing a few changes, one of which is of most interest when it comes to trying to ease restrictions on the number of dwellings.
This mostly relates to the current low-medium density residential zone (LMR). There is not a lot of this zone in the city, at 14%, but revising it could have a big impact.
Here are the key points from the explanatory guide put out by council:
Council wants to make it easier to build new homes in certain locations, to support increased amount and diversity. Brisbane is continuing to grow and over 200k new homes will be needed in 20 years.
In LMR zones, maximum building heights look like increasing and reduced minimum housing lot sizes are coming. A quick summary is worth noting here - 2-3 storey small lot houses (min 120m²), duplexes (min 400m²), 3 storey multiple dwellings (min 600m²), and 4 storey multiple dwellings (min 800m² in Key Locations).
The concept of Key Locations is being introduced which essentially means increased density is allowed the closer you are to major public transport or shopping centres.
Separate to LMR though, LDR zone sites, in other words standard residential, can be subdivided into 300sqm lots if they are within 300m of a shopping centre, which used to be 200m. This alone could have a big impact.
Council is providing illustrations and guidance on how these new housing types will fit into existing neighbourhoods. This could be a good idea and will help guide DA's.
If dealing with subdivisions as small as120m² requires a Development Footprint Plan (DFP) to streamline future approvals. DFP must show building footprint, bin storage, driveway, landscaping, and other site details.
One big change that is coming is how many cars are required on a site, especially in Key Locations, to reflect lower car ownership and proximity to public transport. One example - 2-bedroom units drop from 2 spaces to 1.5 citywide, and 1.2 in Key Locations.
If you would like to check out the summary page for LMR zone changes:
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/building-and-planning/planning-and-design/city-plan-amendments/low-medium-density-residential-design
There are moves afoot for increased density in Moreton Shire as well.
As an extra – how do you build on a 120sqm lot? Easy! Even if the lots are restricted to 60% maximum site cover, that still leaves a potential floor area of around 144sqm, over 2 levels, which is actually enough for a reasonable four-bedroom house with a single garage and outdoor covered area. Attached is a concept we did a while ago for a secondary dwelling that is 93sqm over the two storeys, including the deck. It is a comfortable 2-bedroom house. So, BCC might be suggesting a great solution to housing needs.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

10/09/2026

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗬
Almost every project result in a new wall on or near the side or rear boundary.
Why is this?
Built to boundary walls can be a common feature for garages and carports, where the codes allow. Occasionally some structures, like a small barbeque zone, can be allowed on the boundary. Some buildings have walls within 900mm of the boundary. Anywhere within this space will require the wall to be fireproofed from the outside. This is a standard requirement throughout the National Construction Code, NCC, so that there is always a separation of 1800mm between the walls of buildings. Otherwise the walls must resist fire for one hour.
How do we achieve this?
The most obvious is to use masonry, brick or blockwork. They do though come with practical difficulties on how they are constructed, mostly due to space restrictions. Unless you get permission to stand on your neighbour’s property while you build the wall. A quicker method can be using light framed systems that several companies have tested. They all work in similar ways whereby the frame is clad with fire resistant sheeting such as fire-check plasterboard. Over this is placed a normal exterior cladding.
The biggest issue to deal with is ongoing maintenance on a boundary wall. Face-brick or face-block is a no maintenance way to go but looks unfinished, especially block. Some of the sheet cladding products can remain untreated, because they are finished with embedded colour and robust surface.
With help from a fire engineer, a combination of systems with an applied finish can be approved by a certifier. A recent project has block walls with added steel sheet cladding, which is a no maintenance product.
The images today are from Hardie's and CSR who make the most common light framed system walls.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

03/09/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗜 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦?
Of course, you can.
But you can’t have them on the front of a Queenslander. Unfortunately, the Character code will not allow it in Brisbane. Moreton, it is possible.
The good news though is you can have them at the back of your Queenslander. We like doing it because we follow Heritage principles which encourage new work to be of its time.
Glass handrails are a little expensive, but they allow you to see the whole view. The example buildings have resulted in unrestricted city or ocean views from inside the house, or to the bush across a pool. The smaller pavilion has glass handrails to enable the greenery to be seen and were included for fall protection.
In recent years glass handrails are required to have a linking grab rail near the top of the glass. This has occurred to ensure greater structural integrity across all the glass panels. The most interesting part is how the glass panel is connected to the building’s structure. The photos show you two versions of this and you can see how substantial those connectors are, while still looking quite elegant.
You can also see how the glass handrails can combine with other sorts of handrails such as timber framing around wire handrails. Glass handrails suit all of the fall restrictions in the codes whatever height you are above the ground, because they are non-climbable in the middle 750mm, of course, as long as the top is 1m min above the finished floor level. You can even choose to use them at 1200mm high near pools.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

27/08/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘 (𝗤𝗛𝗖)
A big change to housing regulations across Queensland is happening right now. What used to be called the Queensland Development Code, QDC MP 1.1 and MP 1.2 has been merged into one code called Queensland Housing Code, QHC.
In many ways this is a good thing and after two years of review and consultation, a somewhat better set all rules and regulations has emerged, but there are some significant revisions that we thought we might mention today. There will be gradual adoption by councils around the state but how quickly this will occur is yet to be seen.
The single document is generally easier to understand and more aligned with the National Construction Code. Some outdated rules have been updated, to better reflect contemporary housing needs. The intent of the QHC is to reduce the many siting relaxations that occur across all of QLD by local councils. The QHC is not mandatory and there is a three year transition. starting 1st Sep.
One of the big differences that is coming, if adopted by councils, is set back changes especially to the front. As we have mentioned before, there is now a shift towards having higher density living with a focus on backyard usage and privacy.
Front setbacks can be 4.5m, with rear setback a mandatory min of 3m. Side setback in general will be 1m min. Carports in general will be allowed closer to the front boundary line, without necessarily needing a local council siting relaxation. All of this is looking towards having greater rear yard space.
There are also sone revisions to on-site parking requirements. For example, a secondary dwelling triggers the requirement for a dedicated parking space on the property. If a garage is part of the project the QHC encourages a tandem parking space to the front of that for visitor parking and to prevent spilling onto streets. Interestingly the QHC has taken reference of the NCC Liveable Housing Standard, whereby a garage used for zero threshold access, must have a minimum internal width of 3.2m.
There are other subtleties, but that is enough for today.
When will the local councils adopt the new QHC?
Brisbane has made no specific announcement as yet and is more focused on their “More Homes Sooner” initiative with things like significantly smaller lot sizes. We will be posting on this shortly. Brisbane's City Plan is undergoing rewrites as well. It looks like we will be sticking with QDC for a fair bit longer in Brisbane.
Moreton is currently rebuilding the MBRC Planning Scheme and it is likely some aspects of the QHC will be incorporated into that, over the next three years. Like Brisbane, Moreton has also implemented a Better Housing amendment to deal with density and increased opportunities for housing. So, like Brisbane, the QDC, along with Moreton's specific precinct overlays will continue.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

20/08/2026

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦?
We thought it might be timely to revisit this topic because it has come up quite a bit in the last few months.
So, what are easements? When you don’t own your own land! Sort of . . .
In fact, you own the land but can have limited use of it. This means you can play on it, you are responsible for its lawn maintenance, but you cannot build on or excavate it.
There are many sorts of easements, with the main ones, relating to residential properties, being rights of access or services corridors. These will appear on the title and can be found by looking at certain authority records such as the aerial images shown, from state mapping. The green shadings are mostly service corridors that contain a sewer and/or storm water pipe. Access easements can often occur with battle axe sites or shared driveways. In effect you have rights of access over each other’s property. Please note - resources like state mapping do not necessarily completely show the full story for every property and that is why we mention looking at the title.
One of the images is the site plan that goes with one of the aerial shots. As you can see, the pool is shaped parallel to the easement to still allow as much usable area as possible. Most services easements allow a building to be placed close to their edge unlike setbacks from normal property boundaries. The building shot shows the project with the pool.
If you think you may have an easement on your property but still wish to renovate or extend, it can be possible to still achieve a good result. Some access may still be required to the easement across your property, so machinery can maintain the pipes. In most cases though, like the example, easements are often adjacent to things like parks, so access is easy.
Not all pipes have easements over them, by the way. A good example is all the sewer pipes in back yards, when Brisbane was sewered in the 1960’s.
The first aerial image, from state mapping, illustrates easements, in green, over council stormwater lines and urban utilities sewer lines. This is halfway up a hill so there are all sorts of things going on. A couple of the easements are running underneath buildings and these probably came into existence after the building was done many years ago. The pink shading represents strata parcels, incorporating multi-res.
The last aerial shot has a combination of access easements and restriction of usage. The small green areas are the shared driveway into a small subdivision. The larger green zones are adjacent to Kedron Brook and are an example of historical titles that went down to the water’s edge. Council has since ensured that the creek bank zone is not allowed to be used by the property owner, to project vegetation.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

13/08/2026

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥/𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘
Every house needs a well-ventilated space in this climate for everyone to gather.
Many times, this can be solved with a roofed deck, but sometimes combining this idea with a living zone can be just as comfortable. This can be a good answer if there is a lack of space or funds. They can be fun spaces when you combine doors and handrails that make the space feel unique. One of our examples today show doors that pull back past the handrails. This can require some careful detailing to achieve the best looking result. One trick is to have solid panels or opaque glass in the lower section of the doors so that the handrails disappear when the doors are closed.
The secret for these spaces, when designed as rooms, usually stems from the types of windows chosen. Bifolds are ideal as they pull back to reveal a full opening. Louvres can also work well, as they can act as handrails. Sometimes the choice can be dictated by whether you need screening or not, as bifolds require a cassette screen on the inside.
These rooms also work well beside pools as the visual link is increased directly from the house to that outdoor space. We have even designed fixed glazing that doubles as the pool fencing for that pool and sometimes 100mm louvre blades with stronghold pins can achieve this security element.
Ceilings over these rooms are ideally the same as the rest of the building, enhancing the impact. There is not a lot of price difference between a full roof rather than a skillion over such spaces.
By combining your living area into an indoor/outdoor function, the costs could be less than having two spaces, living inside with deck outside.
This post was created by humans!
Peter Latemore and team, local Building Designers, specialize in Queenslanders, including post-war, amongst all building types. Grange based, as Latemore Design, 3356 9051, [email protected], ABN 39 010 895 682. Servicing Brisbane inner regions. QBCC 1055247.
More projects? https://latemoredesign.com.au/
Past posts? https://www.facebook.com/latemoredesign

Latemore Design

16/10/2026

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