About Three Stems Design

Three Stems Design is an award-winning, QBCC licensed residential building designer in Brisbane, specialising in thoughtful home designs that create spaces for ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Based in Moorooka and servicing the Brisbane and Ipswich metropolitan areas, building designer Stella Franks brings nearly 20 years of industry experience to every project, combining technical expertise with a genuine understanding of how modern families live. Whether you're planning to extend your current home, renovate your beloved Queenslander, or design a completely new build from scratch, Three Stems Design offers comprehensive house design and planning solutions that expertly balance functionality with aesthetics. Stella's particular expertise lies in Queenslander renovations, where she excels at preserving the traditional character and charm of these iconic Brisbane homes while seamlessly incorporating modern family living requirements and contemporary conveniences.   Specialised Design Solutions Include: Home Extensions and Renovations: Transform cramped spaces into functional family homes with custom extension designs that maximise living space without compromising your property's character. From additional bedrooms and bathrooms to open-plan living areas, each extension is carefully planned to enhance your lifestyle while adding significant value to your property. Queenslander Renovations: Stella understands the unique architectural features and considerations involved with renovating Brisbane's iconic Queenslander homes. Her designs respect the traditional building style while creating modern, functional spaces that meet the needs of contemporary families, including improved storage, better flow between rooms, and enhanced natural lighting. Raise and Build Under Projects: Double your floor space without sacrificing precious yard area through expertly planned raise and build under designs. These transformative renovations capture Brisbane's stunning views and cooling breezes while creating substantial additional living space, from spacious new living areas to home offices, guest suites, or even dual living arrangements. New Home Designs: Create your dream home from the ground up with custom single and double-storey house plans that perfectly suit Brisbane's subtropical climate and outdoor lifestyle. Stella carefully considers orientation to reduce summer heat and welcome gentle winter light, ensuring your new home is both beautiful and energy-efficient year-round. Kitchen, Bathroom, and Laundry Renovations: Transform the heart of your home with thoughtfully designed kitchen renovations that enhance functionality and accommodate growing families. Bathroom and laundry redesigns focus on maximising space, improving storage solutions, and creating luxurious yet practical spaces that enhance daily routines. Deck, Verandah, and Carport Designs: Embrace Queensland's outdoor lifestyle with custom deck and verandah extensions that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. Carport designs provide essential covered parking while complementing your home's existing architecture and potentially hiding less attractive features. Granny Flat Designs: Create versatile additional living spaces perfect for accommodating extended family, generating rental income, or providing dedicated spaces for hobbies and side businesses. Each granny flat design is tailored to your specific land size and intended purpose.   Why Choose Three Stems Design? As a small local business, Three Stems provides genuinely personalised attention throughout every project phase. Unlike larger firms where clients may feel like just another number, Stella works one-on-one with each family to deeply understand their vision, lifestyle needs, and budget constraints, then translates these insights into detailed building plans ready for council approval and construction. Three Stems stands out in the competitive Brisbane building design market through its transparent, inclusive package pricing with no hidden fees, and a streamlined pre-site process that removes typical renovation headaches. Stella personally handles all external consultant coordination, including surveyors, engineers, certifiers, and colour consultants, ensuring your project progresses smoothly and efficiently from initial concept to final approval. Her award-winning designs have been recognised with Brisbane's Best Display Home award and featured in prestigious publications including Grand Designs Australia and Custom Homes Magazine, demonstrating her exceptional ability to create outstanding residential spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional. Expert Navigation of Local Requirements Stella's extensive local knowledge particularly benefits homeowners in Brisbane suburbs affected by Traditional Building Character (TBC) overlays and other specific council requirements. She understands how to navigate these complex regulations while still achieving desired design outcomes, potentially saving clients significant time, money, and frustration during the approval process. Her expertise extends to flood-prone areas, bushfire considerations, and heritage overlays, ensuring your building design project complies with all relevant Brisbane City Council and Ipswich City Council requirements from the outset. Comprehensive Service Areas Three Stems Design proudly services suburbs throughout Brisbane and Ipswich, including Yeronga, Yeerongpilly, Paddington, East Brisbane, Greenslopes, Coorparoo, Moorooka, Salisbury, Holland Park, Camp Hill, Saddlers Crossing, Woodend, North Ipswich, Woolowin, and many surrounding areas. This extensive coverage ensures families across South East Queensland can access Stella's expertise and personalised design services. The Three Stems Design Process From initial consultation to final approved plans, Three Stems guides clients through every step of the building design process with clear communication, realistic timelines, and expert guidance. Each project includes comprehensive preliminary design consultations, multiple plan revisions to perfect your vision, coordination with all necessary external consultants, and detailed construction documentation ready for building approval and construction. Three Stems Design transforms houses into dream homes that perfectly suit modern family living, creating spaces where your best memories will unfold. With nearly two decades of industry experience, award-winning design credentials, and a genuine passion for improving families' lifestyles through thoughtful home design, Stella Franks and Three Stems Design deliver exceptional results that exceed expectations while maintaining the personal touch that sets small businesses apart. Contact Three Stems Design today to begin transforming your house into the home you've always dreamed of living in.