Celebrating Brisbane : nettletontribe opens for Brisbane Open House 2024
A celebration of adaptive reuse.





Acquired by the firm in July 2019, the team at nettletontribe recognised an exceptional opportunity to not just to create a bespoke studio space but to encapsulate a rich piece of Brisbane history. What began over a century ago as a brick merchant’s bulk store constructed by Chambers & Powell in 1913, later evolved into the Little Tokyo Restaurant for over 44 years, boasting the title of Brisbane’s oldest hospitality establishment.
As we opened our studio to the public, visitors wandered through the transformed space, many sharing evocative recollections of life in Spring Hill, which sparked eloquent dialogues around the urban design and progressive development of our cities.
Architecture is not just about buildings; it’s about people, community, and creating spaces that reflect and accommodate the diverse tapestry of human experience. The memories and stories of Spring Hill, exchanged with our visitors, vividly brought to life the distinct ambiance and reminded us all of the value inherent in interlacing the new with the cherished old.
You can read more about the design process below: