An architect has created a compact but perfectly formed family home within a nine-square-metre footprint in Queensland.

The Jackson family home stands in what was the backyard of a 1960s shack in the south-east Queensland town of Buderim. Architect Rohan Jackson, of Blackburne Jackson Design, bought the block in 2001, living in and leasing out the home in between overseas travel and minor renovations. When he and Jessica married in 2003, they decided to divide the property. The plan was to preserve and extend the existing house as an example of the coast's heritage and build a new three-bedroom family home on the back of the block, for when their children, Barnaby, now aged five, and Jemima, now three, came along.

With the original shack rented out, the family moved into the new building – which is essentially a nine-square-metre box – designed to function within a small footprint. Design elements such as high ceilings and large windows help to make the house appear more spacious than its measurements suggest. “The design was inspired by the original dwelling: the easily maintained and high-quality materials, simple and practical form and efficiency of plan and detailing,” says Rohan. “Every single room in the house gets used each day, so we have met our desire to have no wasted space.”

A breezeway entry via an external gate establishes the relaxed tone of the home, easing you into the open-plan living, dining and kitchen zones on the ground floor. A double-height ceiling above the dining table gives the impression of more space, while waxed-oak laminate joinery flows from the kitchen through to the living area to create a unified look. Here, a sliding wall provides on-demand separation from a study and staircase to the upper level, which consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“Budget was of utmost importance,” says Jessica. “We sought to create beautiful spaces using inexpensive materials in a clever way.” Vintage finds and revived family heirlooms imbue the home with character and colour. Barnaby's bedroom shelves were once spice racks in Rohan's parents' kitchen, and a great-great aunt's chair completes a cosy reading nook in Jemima's bedroom.

With their creativity fanned by a small footprint and a shoestring budget, Rohan and Jessica have created a thoughtful home that's a perfect fit for their family.

Blackburne Jackson Design, Alexandra Headland, Queensland; (07) 5443 3200.

This is the life

“The main living space is the hub of our home as it connects the kitchen, dining and outdoor spaces together,” says Rohan Jackson of his home in Buderim, Queensland. Here, glass sliding doors allow an easy overflow to the deck and garden. “It is always cool and comfortable on the breezeway and it's the ideal spot to have a long, slow lunch in the warmer months,” says Rohan.

Family friendly

Aside from the environment, there are substantial benefits to a compact family home, number one being easy supervision over busy children and their energetic friends. “From the kitchen and study we can look out to see the kids playing in the driveway as well as monitor the street,” says Jessica. “The high windows to the playroom upstairs mean that we can still watch the kids while socialising or cooking downstairs, too.”