* Residential Architecture: Abbotsford Residence by Chan Architecture

Residential Architecture: Abbotsford Residence by Chan Architecture: “..This project involved renovating an existing double fronted Edwardian home and adding a rear and first floor extension on a tight site in the inner city suburb of Abbotsford in Melbourne, Australia. Working with numerous site constraints, including an easement running diagonally through the site, large existing trees, a west facing block, site access issues and difficult soil conditions, the response was to create an extension that not only addressed all these issues, but created an integrated solution that responded to these constraints in a creative manner..The curves in the design, in both plan and elevation, were not only a response to the site constraints, but were introduced to create more dynamic, fluid forms, whilst making reference to the bull-nosed, corrugated iron verandah roofs of the typical Edwardian home..The green colours on the rear facade made reference to the colours of the existing Eucalyptus trees on the site, as well as providing a fresh contrast to the other colours on the facade..By varying ceiling heights internally, we were able to let natural light into the house via clerestory windows and an internal courtyard..”  Interesting form, interior volumes, fenestration and materiality..

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image: © Folded Bird Photography (Brendan Finn); article: “Abbotsford Residence / Chan Architecture” 28 Nov 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/298817&gt;

* Residential Architecture: HOUSE House Melbourne by Andrew Maynard Architects

Residential Architecture: HOUSE House Melbourne by Andrew Maynard Architects: “..an extended melbourne family owning two neighboring houses in dire need of a restoration and addition led to the clever re-design by local practice andrew maynard architects. the solution is simple and effective, join the two mirrored residences through a shared pivot point, with a backyard that is capable of transforming into one cohesive park. in breaking from typical australian homes with low roof lines and expansive footprints, this new typology introduces the strategies implemented in higher density contexts, creating slender taller structures with light flooding in from the roof and opening more space for the garden. the addition is a contemporary cedar-clad volume with several windows of varying sizes and a small children’s rendition of a house painted black meeting the street to discourage graffiti artists from tagging the wall..the interior exposes black steel elements as the primary frame structure, a spiral staircase and mesh corridors. the original brick of the existing buildings are left exposed creating a more industrial feel with decisive injections of warm wood planks for the siding and flooring accented through the glow from the skylight. the separate masses contain their own private areas and share the main living functions in the new addition..”  Ample glazing, natural light; interesting fenestration, interior volumes and materiality..

See our post on another home by Andrew Maynard Architects: Residential Architecture: Hill House by Andrew Maynard Architects.

image: © peter bennetts, courtesy of andrew maynard architects; article: Designboom

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* Residential Architecture: Blurred House by Bild Architects

Residential Architecture: Blurred House by Bild Architects: “..Bild Architects designed the Blurred House in Melbourne, Australia..The first in a series of studies into the adaptation of vernacular Australian suburban typologies, ‘Blurred House’ is a major renovation and extension to an original 1930’s Californian bungalow in Melbourne’s inner-north. Reacting to the established convention of jarring juxtaposition of existing ‘old’ and introduced ‘new’ architectural elements ; the ‘Blurred House’ offers an alternative proposition; that of a blurring between ‘old’ and ‘new’ to produce a hybrid. Gradually transitioning from the vernacular to the contemporary, the division of architectural elements are deliberately ambiguous, producing a unique formal and visual language..Viewed from the street, the house appears largely unchanged, with a small clerestory window the only hint of reconfiguration. Both internally and externally; moving through the house, new materials, spatial characters and formal language is progressively introduced. By the time of arrival in the back yard, the house has evolved into a different building; no longer recognizable from its original starting point; an architectural ‘rabbit in a hat’..Reflecting the formal strategy of transition, rooms at the front of the property are left largely unadulterated, remaining more enclosed. On the other hand, living spaces to the rear are progressively more open and interconnected embracing the garden and pool areas. These varied spaces respond to different ‘modes’ of living, with different volumetric, acoustic, and light qualities. Whilst these spaces are linked to a greater or lesser degree, they are not ‘open plan’ in a conventional sense, rather configured in a more nuanced distribution of distinct spaces and functions..A hybrid of both old and new, oscillating between the past and present, the building sits comfortably in the street scape as something familiar yet alien. Distinct from both the area’s new housing and the original suburban fabric the ‘Blurred House’ is neither little red riding hood or the big bad wolf, somewhere in between..”  Very interesting major renovation and addition; extensive glazing, natural light; indoor / outdoor sensibility; interesting form and interior volumes..

image: TM Photo; article: Contemporist

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* Residential Architecture: Beaumaris House by Maddison Architects

Residential Architecture: Beaumaris House by Maddison Architects: “..The orientation and associated views played a major part in the design response. The Coronet Grove Residence is built on one of the most elevated seaside locations in Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia, having 270-degree views of port Philip Bay. These conditions presented a major dichotomy however as the view is to the south. The imperative to therefore place living spaces on the south to capture the view is counter to all ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) principles..A strategy was developed to split the building into two elements, a south facing cantilevered zinc clad living element and a two-storey north facing masonry bedroom element. These two elements are pulled apart with a circulation zone and the roof is prised up over between these areas allowing north sun to penetrate into the living zones. The building elements are further pulled apart internally with first floor bridges spanning between them..We had an awareness of the history of the suburb within which the house is located. Beaumaris was established in the 1950’s and 60’s and has a heritage of experimental architecture from that period. Beaumaris was in the 50’s, the Mornington Peninsular of today. Architects such as Mcglashan and Everest, Chancellor and Patrick, Mockridge Stahle and Mitchell , David Godsell and later Neil Clerehan and Baird Cuthbert Mitchell created incisive original architecture. Our design response therefore acknowledges this historical context..A skeletal PFC steel frame is expressed internally and externally to accentuate openings. This steel frame provides a fineness and legibility. The use of expressed steel work has its heritage in the 50’s when steel framing became available as an affordable extruded section. A ‘cloak’ of building fabric is hung from the PFC frame in the Coronet Grove Residence. The north facing Bedroom element has its alabaster sawn block work framed and supported by the PFC Steel. Windows in this building part are accentuated with 250mm deep incisive window frames. These provide a strong horizontal window composition..Black zinc cladding wraps around the elevated southern living element. This cantilevered ‘tube’ hovers on an enormous Universal Steel Channel. The form of this element responds to the lookout nature of its use. The inclined cladding and inclined ends imply movement and provide a counterpoint to the static nature of the block work northern bedroom element. Intermediary spaces are generally clad in spotted-gum ship lap lining boards..The concept of discreet North and South building elements is further emphasized internally with the PFC expression and concrete block work continuing in the circulation spaces. An emphasis was placed on embracing a cohesive response between the architecture and interior, where materials run seamlessly from outside to inside. Other prerogatives regarding durability were also considered given the seaside location. This provided a further pragmatic overlay to all material and finished selections. All finishes had to pass strict minimal maintenance criteria..Principals of sustainability include: The northern portion of the roof is lifted to allow a controlled sun penetration into the living areas. A thermal chimney is employed. The house can be purged through remote controlled highlight windows at night. External operable aluminium louvers provide sun control on all northeast and west windows and therefore minimise the heat load and damage to finishes internally. A geo-thermal bore is used to heat the swimming pool and internal spaces. A 20,000-litre subterranean water tank is used to collect all roof water runoff. A C bus lighting control system is used throughout to minimise power use. Low e glass is used throughout. Low energy led and florescent lighting sources are used throughout. Native planting is used throughout..This project was cost managed by the builder owner with alternative materials, fittings and fixtures being requested for all selections. Accordingly, the project has been carefully cost scrutinized without loss of the original design intent..”  Interesting conception, form, interior and exterior details, interior volumes; extensive glazing, natural light; indoor / outdoor sensibility and historical and contextual sensibility..

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image: © Gerrard Warrener; article: Gaete , Javier . “Beaumaris House / Maddison Architects” 04 Oct 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/274540&gt;