Italian for a gentle, rolling hill
Collina
Project
Collina
Service
Luxury Custom Home
Build Type
New Build
Completed
2025
Project Philosophy
Elevated Living on a Sloping Site
Project Snapshot
Collina – Italian for a gentle, rolling hill – is a contemporary residence designed by bda Architecture with Merge Interior Design, and built by O’Shea & Sons Builders. Positioned on a steeply sloping 405 m² block, the home sits proportionally within its site and responds intelligently to both the topography and the surrounding heritage streetscape.
In answer to the street’s character overlay, the design adopts familiar proportions and rooflines while introducing contemporary materials – a striking yet harmonious street presence.
Project at a Glance
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 3 + 3 powder rooms |
| Living Areas | 4 |
| Garage | 2 car |
| Completed | 2025 |
| Architect | BDA Architecture |
| Interior Designer | Merge Interior Design |
| Builder | O’Shea & Sons Builders |
The Challenge
A steep 405 m² corner block left no room for error. The eastern boundary needed engineered retention to support the neighbouring property. High-voltage powerlines ran beside the site, requiring specialist coordination just to stand the scaffold safely. And the character overlay asked the new home to belong on a heritage street without imitating it.
Our Solution
The design embraces its elevated northside vantage point. Living areas sit on the upper level to capture light, breezes and expansive views, while a centrally located lift makes every level effortlessly accessible – future-proofing the home for decades of use.
Circulation is intuitive, with clear zoning between garage, living and private spaces, all aligned to the steep site and street access. Durable aluminium detailing keeps maintenance low; every metre of the compact block is put to work.
Behind the Build
Retaining systems were integrated during earthworks so site stability and usable space were won together, not traded off. Works beside the neighbouring boundary were preceded by dilapidation reporting and proactive communication; scaffolding beside live high-voltage lines was installed with multiple specialists under strict safety protocols. Sequencing did the quiet heavy lifting – the project was delivered without incident, on program, to the standard the finishes show.
Design Highlights
Kitchen
A curved stone island anchors custom cabinetry and a fluted rangehood – sculptural, and built for daily life.
Elevated Living
Upper-level living rooms open to city views through full-height glazing.
Feature Stair
Timber battens wrap the skylit stair void, carrying warmth through every level.
Outdoor Living
A covered balcony kitchen turns the view into the backdrop for entertaining.
Precision Detail
Custom joinery, designer bathrooms and precision glazing executed to an outstanding standard.
Street Presence
Familiar rooflines in contemporary materials – at home on its heritage street.
Awards & Recognition
Best Homes Magazine
Issue No 19 – ‘The High Life’
Materials & Finishes
| Benchtops | Reconstituted stone |
| Feature stone | ‘Tundra Grey’ natural marble to the kitchen and games room |
| Tiling | Travertine laid brickbond through floors and wet areas |
| Joinery | Polytec |
| Flooring | Prefinished engineered oak, 100% wool carpet in Stonefields Quartz to bedrooms |
Project Gallery
Walk Through the Home
Built Without Compromise
Collina overcomes significant constraints without compromise – a highly resolved home born of meticulous planning and coordination from tender through to completion, for clients who will enjoy it for years to come.
Client Story
“We are absolutely loving our home. We can’t wipe the smile off our faces. All the family came to stay and check it out over Easter. Thumbs up from everyone.”
Bronwyn & Dan
More contemporary Queenslander homes – and how we work as custom home builders in Brisbane.
Ready to Create Your Own Story?
Challenging block? Steep site? Big ideas? Every project begins with understanding how you want to live – tell us about yours and we’ll explore what’s possible together.