This was an important project for our practice; an opportunity to re-imagine living on a typical flat suburban block (1/2 of quarter acre) and to test the CDC approval process. Our ambition was to provide high level of internal amenity in a design that activated the entire site and created a series of interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces. And equally importantly, a proposal that was polite to its neighbours, respectful of their privacy and amenity, yet one which made a statement that good design mattered.
Working with the existing building was investigated initially but dismissed due to its rigid and unarticulated plan which meant that the required amenity and solar access could not be achieved. Instead only the existing pool and garden at the rear were retained, becoming the focus for the new design. New living/dining room was located to take maximum benefit of the existing garden, with a new internal courtyard inserted to the north to ensure direct sunlight in mid-winter. The client’s brief also called for their main bedroom, ensuite and robe to be located on the ground floor, so that the parents can live on one level only. The remaining bedrooms are on the second floor, east-facing, along with a shared bathroom, study and a second living room, designed to enable multi-generational living in the house.
Building form, articulation and orientation combine to reduce the impacts on adjoining properties while maintaining their solar access and privacy. Building architecture consisting of white painted bagged brick base and a dark lightweight rooftop was deliberately bold and provocative, a design statement in the otherwise bland streetscape. The bulk and volume of the second floor is minimised and disguised through the choice of materiality, the roof form itself and the use of dormers.
Early and proper integration of passive and active design elements was essential to reducing the built cost and minimising the running expenditure. We aimed to be able to have no sun on glass in summer, yet with generous solar access to south facing living rooms and effective use of cross ventilation. Passive elements include the building orientation and form, deeply recessed windows, deep overhangs to ground floor doors, building openings that maximise cross ventilation, elimination of western glazing, ceilings on top floor which help extract hot air at high level and wind-driven ventilators. Active elements comprise of the operable external blinds, power boosted roof fans, energy efficient A/C, hi-grade insulation and the selection of materials and colours.
Timely and well considered integration of advice from allied disciplines was key to ensuring the client’s brief and budget were met. We worked closely with Artechne, our builder, led by Angel Rumeliotis, to optimise the structure and select materials and techniques that provided for robust, cost-effective and at times very innovative solutions. Other consultants included SDA Structures, Kate Michell for landscape and Light:Practice for lighting. This collaboration resulted in a design that met and exceeded our client’s brief on a strictly controlled budget and built in only 11 months.
