* Residential Architecture: North Fitzroy House by AM Architecture

Residential Architecture: North Fitzroy House by AM Architecture: “..The owners approached us with a common question. Is it feasible to extend a semi-detached dwelling on a narrow site? The benefit this property had over comparable detached dwellings was the opportunity to build two levels directly on the party wall. This opened up an array of spatial possibilities allowing a ground floor extension of a new kitchen, dining, meals and living, and on the first floor, a master bed, workstation and en-suite..The response to the heritage overlay was one of complimentary difference. We searched for forms and materials that would create a relationship with the existing building but ultimately end up in a contemporary expression that would make no apology for being new. The resultant form is a black, single pitched volume that extrudes along the site reflecting same angle as the existing tiled roof, and switching dramatically in direction at the rear, responding to adjoining neighbours sun access and opening up to a north facing rear garden..The materials and new colours from the existing heritage portico are used internally and externally in the new addition. These common materials serve to bind the two parts together, reinforcing the idea that both old and new, so different in era and style, are borne of the same substance. An important part of the owners brief was a separate dining area screened from the kitchen that would still maintain a spatial connection. This is the first space entered when leaving the old building. It is intended as a night time space, being the deepest into the site and is surrounded by a tactile combination of materials including white bagged brickwork referencing the face brickwork at the front of the building, white painted timber cladding connecting to the painted timber soffit of the portico, glossy white steel plate, exposed polished concrete, charcoal timber shiplap cladding and a timber veneer drinks cabinet. During the day, skylights and long windows wash perpendicular walls, so the space receives a reflected and ambient glow of light..At the core of the extension is the kitchen with void above, which connects a first floor master bedroom and en-suite in a lofty mezzanine. The kitchen is a timber insertion into a white space, and includes a solid timber island bench that doubles as a meals table connecting directly to the living area. A double height wall alongside the stair has large windows placed at the north end to flood it with clear and coloured light, and a long window running the entire western side, creates ever-changing patterns of direct and reflected light throughout the afternoon and evening. The living area is fully glazed to the northern garden and the first floor the en-suite above sits in a deep white recess for privacy, enjoying a high pitching ceiling that opens the space up to the sky and nearby trees ..The design was the product of a fluid working relationship between the clients and architect with the clients embracing new ideas with enthusiasm. Good communication between everyone led to a pleasurable design process and a building that emerged on the other side with its integrity intact. The extension that eventuated from what was a narrow site feels spatially generous and tactile materials combined with ever-changing qualities of light have created a series of interconnected spaces that are a pleasure to spend time in..”  Extensive glazing, natural light; interesting form, interior volumes, fenestration and materiality..

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image: © Dianna Snape; article: ”North Fitzroy House / AM Architecture” 18 Feb 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Enclave House by BKK Architects

Residential Architecture: Enclave House by BKK Architects: “..This project has been undertaken for a couple and their children of varying ages. (In Melbourne, Autralia), it includes alterations to an existing Edwardian House and a new separate studio to the rear of the site..The house is designed so that the spaces within and around the house will be adaptable over time to suit the changing needs of the family. The possibility for the studio space to be converted into an office has been considered as has the basement entertainment area conversion into a gym or multi-purpose play room. A central courtyard contains a pool and landscaped areas..The environmental initiatives for the project can be summarized as follows; •There is a 25,000lt underground rain water harvesting tank. •Double glazed windows throughout. •Highly insulated walls floors and roof. •Locally resourced, sustainable, plantation timber cladding. •Materials that are low-maintenance with inherent finishes. •Low-VOC materials. •Highly water efficient fixtures and fittings. •The existing residence has been retained and restored. •The planning and construction is designed to be highly adaptable..Formally, the extension at the rear of the existing residence is conceived through a subtractive approach that appears to have been carved from a solid block, chiseled away to cater to the planning/heritage overlays, whilst also drawing light back into the residence..Deep reveals form the windows to the upper floor to protect the gaze from the surrounding residences. An interior lightwell and water feature extend the garden space to the centre of the living spaces. The garden has also been carefully crafted to create its own secret garden, complete with designer cubby house. There is an overwhelming sense of seclusion in both the house and garden that creates a type of space that is the family’s own, a retreat from busy lives and the surrounding chaos..The fabric of the building/s operates like a protective cocoon. The differing materiality of the two levels of the extensions creates the impression that the house has been capped or that a ‘helmet’ is placed upon the exterior walls..”  Ample glazing, natural light; interesting form, materiality, interior volumes; sustainability..

See our post on another home by BKK Architects: Residential Architecture: Beached House by BKK Architects.

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image: © John Wheatley – UA Creative; article: ”Enclave House / BKK Architects” 28 Jan 2013. ArchDaily.>

 

* Residential Architecture: Plett 6541+2 House by SAOTA

Residential Architecture: Plett 6541+2 House by SAOTA: “..The clients requested a 6-bedroom family home with understated elegance and quiet grandeur, indoor / outdoor living spaces and uninterrupted views, with a ”lived-in beach-house” feel..The beach-front site falls within a pristine and unique environment, nestled at the foot of the Robberg. With direct access to a strip of idyllic beach, it is characterized by its rolling dunes and the dense indigenous vegetation of extraordinary variety, including a well establish Milkwood thicket. The site is subject to hot summers and moderate winters, with a cooling on-shore breeze, from the North East. Taking advantage of the large dune across the majority of the site, the views were maximised by elevating the living levels to above natural ground level, terracing built forms down the dune..The design incorporates large glazed areas and extensive use of outdoor spaces, with each aspect of the house having a terrace or deck. The linear open plan composition of the interior spaces allows views from every room. To take advantage of the sea and distant mountain views, while providing protection from the extremes of climate, the living spaces were designed with South West/North East orientations. Sculptured rectangular forms, linear elements, large areas of horizontal glazing, timber cladding and expansive external terraces are the principal elements of the design.Externally the natural fynbos was brought up to the house achieving a feeling that the house is set in nature and does not disturb the natural beauty..The simple choice of materials complements the sculptural form of the house. The flooring is of large format leather finish Neo Sardo Granite throughout the house, alongside painted walls and ceilings. The principal neutral elements are complemented by the natural timber shutters, screens and pergola. These will mature in time to a silver-grey colour. Each bathroom is characterised by walls clad in granite to match the floors, frameless glass shower enclosures and white Corian vanities. The master bedroom is finished with white oiled Oak flooring with feature granite, tying it back to the rest of the house..The key to this retreat is its simplicity in terms of the relationship between spaces. Its floor plan is structured, sparse and uncluttered..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, views; interesting form, interior volumes, materiality, details..

See our posts on other homes by SAOTA:

• Residential Architecture: Glen 2961 House by SAOTA and Three 14 Architects
• Residential Architecture: 6th 1448 Houghton ZM House by SAOTA and Antoni Associates
• Residential Architecture: Voelklip House by SAOTA and ANTONI ASSOCIATES
• Residential Architecture: Montrose House by SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects
• Residential Architecture: Nettleton 198 House by Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects (SAOTA)
• Residential Architecture: Victoria 73 House by SAOTA and Antoni Associates
• Residential Architecture: La Lucia House by SAOTA and Antoni Associates

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image: Courtesy of SAOTA; article: ”Plett 6541+2 / SAOTA” 30 Nov 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/300391&gt;

* Residential Architecture: Potasze House by Neostudio Architekci

Residential Architecture: Potasze House by Neostudio Architekci: “..Polish firm Neostudio Architekci have added a timber-clad extension to this farm building in Poland to create a residence..Potasze House was originally used by an agricultural university for seed drying and sits in woodland on the outskirts of Poznan..The single-storey extension accommodates a kitchen, living and dining space, while the existing building was refurbished to house a garage on the ground floor and bedrooms on the first floor..The existing building has been rendered and whitewashed to contrast with the extension..”  Interesting contemporary, wood clad extension to an existing, refurbished farm building; interesting interior volumes; ample glazing, natural light; disastrous interior decoration..

image: Pawe≥ åwierkowski (sic); article: Dezeen

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