This house is set around a large verandah, courtyards and a lush garden which permeates the house.
The brief was for the creation of an Asian type compound, a series of structures within a walled garden providing seclusion and refuge within a suburban setting, and flexibility for future use.
The site strategy allows the historic weatherboard house to be kept within its entirety, creating a sequence of garden courtyards linking the old and new buildings.
A narrative of movement is created from public to private zones modulated by the verandah, the repetition of structure and framed garden views.
Functions of living and sleeping areas, of day and night, are separated by the verandah, with quieter sleeping spaces carved within the new brick pavilion. Moving from sleeping to living areas allows open interaction with weather and light variations.
Materials are contrasted to highlight separation of form between old and new structures.
The pavilion transitions from 1 storey to 3 storey as the site falls to the garden, the scale of this is controlled by the roof form falling steeply to the street. Solid to void ratios on the façade, and material changes ease the height and mass of the form.
Built form & context:
The built form reads as a simple rectilinear form with pitched roofs, in keeping with its suburban context. The massing of form on the site minimises overshadowing, heat gain and strategically blocks and frames views.
The pavilion is located on the western boundary, with an enclosing brick wall, the pool façade to the East is transparent and operable. Perforated screens modulate light and channel views into the rainforest garden.
A central stair is open to sky and garden views, its sunken alcove allows a quiet space to dwell. Colour is used to define the volumes within creating intimate spaces for rest. Exterior Turquoise glazed bricks reference the pool reflections.
The house functions as a flexible space for the occupants. The structure enables future adjustments and provides multi-generational use in the separation of private and public spaces across day and night. The building form allows the occupants to intimately engage with the landscape.
The integration of skilled contractors and consultants and the owner builder model permitted flexibility in construction, and controlling building costs in terms of time, and material selection.
A small footprint warranted specification of high performance robust materials, increasing the longevity and functionality of the house.
What was the brief?
The brief was to create a private oasis for a young family with flexibility in the floor plan to allow changes in use over time. The idea of an Asian compound was developed to allow for separate areas for intergenerational living set within an expansive garden, with open verandahs connecting spaces and facilitating outdoor living.
What building methods were used?
Insulated cavity brickwork
What were the key challenges?
To retain the historic weatherboard house on site and integrate this with a new pavilion.
A key challenge was getting the building approved by council who had issues with the unusual form and open connection between the two buildings. The DA was rejected and successfully appealed.
A further challenge was to retain the sense of an expansive lush garden and build the necessary accomodation. This was achieved by having a narrow floor plate minimising the footprint on the site and ensuring connection with the garden on all levels. A series of garden courtyards are used to link spaces.
What are the sustainability features?
The house relies on passive ventilation using ceiling fans, and full height louvre windows. Stack effect ventilation is utilized in the central stair, drawing up cool area from the garden through the house.
Windows are designed for venting the house during periods of absence, adjustable screens on the upper level reduce heat gain whilst insulated curtains can also be drawn. A subfloor basement offers respite in extreme heat.
High performance glass was installed and brickwork is cavity insulated providing thermal and acoustic insulation. Brickwork is painted in low VOC paints, reducing internal linings.
The occupants are in constant contact with the garden realm, encouraging a sense of wellbeing.
What were the key challenges?
To create a multigenerational home as a private oasis in the midst of suburbia. The site is overlooked by several buildings, this was overcome with the strategic massing to create private courtyards, control views and the use of landscape to enclose the site.
