Toowong Belvedere

We were so happy to be the designers on this unique project for such great clients.

Who wouldn’t want a Belvedere in their backyard?

“Belvedere” is Italian for grand view and it is also used as the word to describe a tower that provides that view.

Our landscape architect, Paul Stein, asked us to help our joint clients in attaining a means to climb up a structure to then see the view that they knew was available if that structure went high enough.

Michael & Karen, after some discussion, realised that they’d also like to have a connection between the lower house level and the main garden terrace, with pond, that was also being designed.  They were not after something large, but big enough when at the top level, to comfortably sit, admire the view and read.  They were also wanting to be high enough to look down on their grand garden that has been in the works for many years and will continue to be so.

We came up with a tower structure that has external stairs from the lower house region and an added carport, up to a door and a wrapping verandah, for good access to the pool and garden.

The Belvedere is around 8.5 metres from the garden terrace level to the roof ridge – quite high.  Floor to floor is over 4 metres, necessitating three flights of stairs, done in a way that it did not feel like you’re climbing so high.  We carefully laid out the walls on all four sides, mixing lower doors with mid-level cladding and extensive upper glazing.  The pergola functions as a break in that tallness, as a vine host, and importantly as a means to access the upper windows for cleaning.

To achieve such a tall structure, with no bracing on the upper level, we worked with ADstructure, engineers, and used a fully welded steel portal structure to obtain a grand result.

Drone Video

Breezway Louvres

The Belvedere is featured on the Breezway Website.

Team

Design – Latemore Design, Kaylene + Peter

Documentation – Latemore Design, Kaylene

Surveyor – AJS Surveys

Structural Engineer – AD Structure

Certifier – Building Approvals & Advice

Builder – Anthony Done

Landscape Architect – Paul Stein

Photos

Jose Figlioli & John B Cooper

Example Drawings

Belvedere Sketch Design

Belvedere Working Drawings