* Residential Architecture: Torquay House by Wolveridge Architects

Residential Architecture: Torquay House by Wolveridge Architects: “..This project attempts to challenge our traditional notions of how buildings can exist both in a coastal environment and in this case also the context of an emerging built form and character..In coastal conditions, buildings must be robust and defy the elements, yet create protective spaces, both internal and external which for us allow the occupants to feel safe, comfortable, privacy and enjoyment of good times.  Whether the occupants are full-time residents or weekenders, the beach house is a place to look forward to arriving, whether in the heat of the summer or the winter’s cold..With excellent views to the north and south and a conscious motivation to avoid the east/west outlooks, this project evolved as a series of interconnected and robustly finished containers.  Each prescribed to a rigid set of rules and the relationship and spaces between containers becoming essential to the program and to the life of the building..The robust mass of the buildings is intended to be offset by the expression of finely considered detail and proportion..It is the private spaces created in between that allow natural ventilation and light, intimate outlooks, and privacy for the occupants, a place to call home.”..”  Interesting form, interior and exterior details, materiality..

See our post on another home by Wolveridge Architects: Residential Architecture: Relaxo Ranch by Wolveridge Architects.

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image: © Derek Swalwell; article: “Torquay House / Wolveridge Architects” 24 Feb 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Power Street House by Steve Domoney Architecture

Residential Architecture: Power Street House by Steve Domoney Architecture: “..This established family residence in Power Street Hawthorn had previously undergone renovation with rear additions providing family living, dining and kitchen spaces. These regrettably fell short of providing an agreeable layout and flow for the family, being awkward in configuration, somewhat confined in height and lacking in good natural light. A complete rethink of this space and its relationship to its garden setting was called for. It was agreed the best remedy would be to start afresh whilst generally keeping to the existing envelope so as not to diminish the available garden area and in so doing, provide a more liberating space and focal point for family activity..In its presentation a pavilion style structure seemed most appropriate in offering connection to the garden whilst differentiating itself from the established character of the existing house. In this way both new and existing co-exist harmoniously, equally and proudly representing their own period in history to which they came into being..The scope of work included some modernisation of the existing, along with the integration of the new pavilion with a new raised swimming pool and garden re-work by Jack Merlo, landscape designer..The ‘Pavilion’ as the name suggests, is open and skeletal in form, the material pallet restrained and limited to glass and bluestone clad walling. Timber flooring and bluestone tile terracing..A careful balance of openness and privacy is struck to establish the garden connection whilst being afforded privacy from neighboring properties. This is achieved through the placement of screen blade walls to its flanks and frameless openings to the garden vista. Subtle indulgences have been included such as the direct access from the master en-suite to pool via an automated glazed door, reinforcing an urban resort feel to the home..”  Extensive glazing, natural light; indoor / outdoor and limited-palette materials sensibility..

See our other posts on homes by Steve Domoney Architecture:

• Residential Architecture: Hope Street Geelong West House by Steve Domoney Architecture
• Residential Architecture: Robinson Road House by Steve Domoney Architecture

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image: © Derek Swalwell; article: “Power Street / Steve Domoney Architecture” 13 Aug 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 14 Aug 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/262305&gt;

* Residential Architecture: Hope Street Geelong West House by Steve Domoney Architecture

Residential Architecture: Hope Street Geelong West House by Steve Domoney Architecture: “..This unusually wide site of generous proportions accommodating only a modest single level weatherboard period cottage, afforded the opportunity to develop the site to best suit the needs of a growing family..In retaining the existing cottage, due respect has been paid to the rhythm of existing heritage cottages along the streetscape..Historic threads are made evident and are read from the street with the new contemporary portions of the house, now in conversation with the old..The new is clearly defined against the existing through the application of tonal contrast. The old is treated in monotonic white, whilst the new presents itself in a relieving charcoal toning behind..This charcoal undertone extends throughout the interior of the new work providing a canvas, to which lively primary colours are applied throughout..Now fused, the existing and new portions of the house provide very different opportunities for use, the existing smaller rooms of the cottage serve appropriately to accommodate the bedroom and utility spaces of the house, whilst the new; over a two level rise; provide a more open flowing arrangement of space, visually interconnected and conducive to the needs of a contemporary young family..The integration of the garden spaces and pool with the house is achieved through a transitional outdoor covered area, extending through both levels and punctuated by an enclosing vertical timber battened screen, this offering protection from the elements for outdoor activity and a filter to sunlight entering the interior..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, indoor / outdoor sensibility; interesting volumes..

See our post on another home by Steve Domoney Architecture: Residential Architecture: Robinson Road House by Steve Domoney Architecture.

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image: © Derek Swalwell; article: “Hope Street Geelong West / Steve Domoney Architecture” 10 Aug 2012. ArchDaily.  <http://www.archdaily.com/262293&gt;

* Residential Architecture: Robinson Road House by Steve Domoney Architecture

Residential Architecture: Robinson Road House by Steve Domoney Architecture: “..Two defining notions drove the design for this new home in Hawthorn, Australia. Firstly, the recognition that the street is currently in transition with the post war brick bungalow style dwelling giving way to more recent contemporary dwellings. Secondly, with the establishment of a larger family home on the site than currently exists, the need to balance the perception of openness from within against a heightened need for privacy with the greater intensity of development now surrounding the site..In addressing the transitional quality of the streetscape, attention is given to how a new building will fit into a likely new streetscape rather than the existing one. This rationale is evident in the resulting and somewhat ‘self confident’ presence of the new home, awaiting the tide of new developments each of its flanks..Issues of perceived visual bulk have been addressed through the upper level by way of its fragmentation along its length into three distinct sections running front to back..Smooth white rendered cube like forms; fore and aft; are separated midway by a lower linking section, punctuated by contrasting dark band sawn timbers..Issues of privacy to and from the street are addressed with the upper level introduction of a deep terrace fronting the home office. Distant views are gained from within this space across the terrace whilst the terrace acts as a visual foil blocking sight lines from the street to this private space..Deeper into the site and the internal spaces of the house, views are channeled from within to private outdoor living areas, whilst screening along its flanks prevents viewing opportunities to and from neighbouring dwellings. A balance thus struck between the need for openness and requirement for privacy..The central core of the house invites casual family living, rising through two levels; the space is defined by the proximity of the external pool which extends to its wall face. With an overhead bridge link traversing this internal space, strong visual interconnection is achieved throughout the living zones..”  Interesting contemporary multi-part form, extensive glazing, natural light, privacy; balconies and terraces, indoor / outdoor sensibility; interesting interior volumes, mezzanine, details..

image: Derek Swalwell; article: Contemporist

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