* Residential Architecture: Ross Street House by Robert Mills Architects

Residential Architecture:  Ross Street House by Robert Mills Architects: “..Australian studio Robert Mills Architects have completed a house surrounded by a pool of water in Melbourne, Australia..the front facade has no windows at all to shut out noise from the street, while the ground floor at the back of the house is glazed floor to ceiling..A large circular skylight in the ceiling upstairs illuminates a concrete spiral staircase..Interiors were designed by Australian studio Hassell..”  Interesting materiality: limed oak, limestone, concrete, chrome, glass; expansive glazing, natural light, privacy; stylish interiors..

image + article: Dezeen

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* Residential Architecture: Middle Park House by KPDO + CJA

Residential Architecture: Middle Park House by KPDO + CJA: “..This home has had a series of renovations over the past century; the original Edwardian home was converted into apartments in the 1930s and then a substantial family home in the 1980’s. Our brief was to restore the Art Deco facade, retain the existing footprint and add a third level..The house is located directly opposite the beach in Middle Park and is constantly filled with beautiful light. Morning sun strikes the garden aspect, and at the end of the day the sun sets across the bay..a series of calm spaces which would be articulated with light..The planning has been carefully considered to create a series of distinct rooms, rather than an open plan. Joinery is placed to create spaces, but still allow views to flow from room to room and then to the horizon..Materials have been selected to provide understated tones within a neutral palette. The neutral colour palette supports the play of light at different times of day. The overall feeling is extremely soft and one feels visually and emotionally connected at all times to the expansive sea, sky and garden views. At the same time the house has a feeling of intimacy & warmth, perfect for family living..In all our projects our view is very much to protect as much of the built environment as possible. Trades that existed 100 years ago, don’t exist anymore, or are considered too expensive. We therefore chose to restore the existing building and protect the craftsmanship of the Art Deco period..We believe sustainability is about preserving as much as we can without needlessly wasting existing material. So, the most substantial decision regarding sustainability was to work with the existing fabric of the house..materials and servicing were all designed around principles of sustainability, including a smart managed hydronic heating system, double glazed windows, and positively shaded windows with curtains and screens..We selected natural materials such as stone, and stained (not painted) timber, windows are either steel or timber, and not aluminium. Additional ESD attributes include solar hot water booted system, solar pool heating and rainwater harvesting for drip feed garden irrigation systems..”  Ample glazing, natural light; astounding Art Deco facade; sophisticated, subtle interior decoration..

image: © Derek Swalwell; article: “Middle Park House / KPDO + CJA” 18 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/254814&gt;

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* Residential Architecture: Pirates Bay House by O’Connor and Houle Architecture

Residential Architecture: Pirates Bay House by O’Connor and Houle Architecture: “..The plan of the house is simple. It is essentially composed of two wings forming a L- Shape, with two zones at either ends, one for children and one for adults, met in the middle by a kitchen / living zone adjoining a large deck and north facing garden. The house and its adjacent studio/guest house offers privacy through its siting, away from the road and the deliberate retention of trees. A long ribbed wall in the living area was designed as a structural element to hold up the highlight window above and in turn the roof of the house. It in turns has become the house of several objects found on the beach and beyond..Following passive design principles were applied: beneficial solar orientation, sun-shading, performance glazing, cross ventilation, fresh air infiltration, natural light, thermal mass, weather sealing, thermal insulation and the minimisation of energy consumption..Following active design principles were applied: involving rainwater harvesting, solar water heating, photovoltaic power generation, thermal chimney and heat purging mechanisms. Sustainable materials and fittings including low toxicity finishes, durable and low embedded energy materials, recycled timbers, low energy appliances and fixtures. Low maintenance and low water use landscaping..”  Sustainability, solar energy, active and passive design principles; ample glazing, natural light, contextual and craft sensibility; extensive wood interiors, wood cladding..

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image: © Earl Carter; article: “Pirates Bay House / O’Connor and Houle Architecture” 04 Jul 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/250124&gt;

* Residential Architecture: Maribyrnong House by Grant Maggs Architects

Residential Architecture: Maribyrnong House by Grant Maggs Architects: “..a dwelling which presents a zinc, and masonry two storey facade to the street.  The reverse view from the river shows the zinc cladding peeled away to reveal a glazed curtain wall and protected balconies and terraces offering views up and downstream from each of the three levels..The quality and practicality of materials were paramount to this project. The house is designed to be low maintenance through its use of high quality durable materials such as zinc, bluestone, recycled timber, off form concrete, polished concrete and stainless steel..The design is driven by the available views from the site together with the client’s interest in a polished but livable product..”  Crafted discretion for the front facade, rear facade with extensive glazing, balconies and terraces; abundant natural light, views, indoor/outdoor and materials sensibility..

image: Martin Saunders and James Vlahogiannis of Blackwood Studios; article: Contemporist

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