This project has been designed in response to a very clear and precise brief from clients literate in both design and environmental issues. They were a pleasure to work with.
The site is located adjacent to Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra in an area set aside by the local Government as an experiment investigating a different planning mode in an effort to increase urban density in the Territory.
Although located on a relatively small block the bones of this site facilitate a building design characterised by an elongated east-west axis. This configuration promotes good solar access which is appropriate for a continental climate and enables the key living areas to be clustered around a private north facing courtyard.
A two-storey void linking the upper and lower levels provides spatial interest especially when combined with the broad connections from the primary living areas to the outdoor room. The resultant configuration provides for a very liveable house.
The palate of neutral, simple colours and modern semi-commercial materials are successfully gathered up into a simple linear and modernist planar external aesthetic.
Both clients grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. When they made a ‘tree change’ to Murrumbateman in 1982, it was for both lifestyle and business reasons, but they both “missed being able to duck down to the beach for a swim”.
The clients said “When you work and live in the same location, the only real holiday is when you go away”. For 10 years they holidayed over Christmas in rented houses in Mollymook or Burrill Lake with their children, their partners and increasing numbers of grandchildren and some time was always spent looking at potential holiday houses, something they managed to resist for only so long.
On one such expedition, they found a waterfront block at Kings Point containing one of the original Kings Point buildings, a one bedroom fibro cottage which had seen better days. Everything about it was perfect, the lake, the aspect and the climate. Within the week, they had bought it.
TT Architecture was recommended to the clients by their Accountant who lived in a house in Nicholls designed by TT.
This edgy cliff top home on the NSW South Coast arose from the synergy of four families who set themselves a vision of creating a home away from home.
Strong lines dominate the exterior and make a bold statement from the street, while accents of timber add warmth to the design. Many commercial and recycled materials were used to build the homes, deviating from the palette of materials usually used in coastal homes.
One of the features of the project is its curved roof, sweeping upward from one side and over the adjoining residence. The volumes created by the roof along with the added height and expansive windows provide a stunning sense of space and light for the owners of these homes.
The relationship to the view is a defining aspect of the living spaces perched over the Pacific Ocean. The inclusion of large floor-to-ceiling windows capitalises on an active ocean; dolphins, whales and crashing surf are all players on the stage. The dramatic gazing also enables the home to be flooded with natural light and be warmed by the winter sun.
The themes of the interior complement the exterior well, with clean lines and the very limited use of strong colour. Rich recycled Red Gum flooring contrasts with the limited palette of colour elsewhere. The simple and sculptural kitchen cabinetry makes a lively counterpoint and focus to the minimalist expression of the rest of the interior.
A centrally located in-wall fireplace is emphasised by a subtle curve in the wall. The crisp rectangular forms of the ‘in-wall’ up lights spaced regularly throughout the main living and circulation spaces provide drama and individuality to the design.
The simple plan form caters equally well for an intimate weekend for a couple or for a family gathering.
This duplex has been recognised for its style and functionality by the HIA and MBA in winning the ‘Coastal Home of the Year’ and ‘Dual Occupancy of the Year’.
Dual occupancy development for ageing in place in National Capital Area in Canberra
The conceptual framework for this dual occupancy in Deakin, directly behind the Prime Minister’s residence, flows from the physical considerations of the corner block location and the client’s requirement for a very livable and “downsized” house.
There was a financial incentive for the client to also act as a developer with the second house going some way to cover the costs of the overall development. The second house was sold to another previous client of TT architecture is prior to completion.
The owners encouraged the Architect to ‘tread boldly’ and was pleased with the ‘on-time, on budget’, sustainable outcome. All associated with the project are justifiably proud of the result.
DESIGN FEATURES
SUSTAINABILITY
AWARDS
DESIGN FEATURES
The conceptual framework for this dual occupancy in Deakin, directly behind the Prime Minister’s residence, flows from the physical considerations of a corner block location and the client’s requirement for a very liveable and “retirement friendly” home.
The kernel of the scheme is the idea that the main living space is effectively as “one-room thick”. This idea allows for a strong relationship between font and back and from the everyday areas to the sunny northern pocket. This dynamic also permits access to the more private summer courtyard whilst promoting good cross ventilation. This is a consideration often underestimated in the Canberra climate. In order to enable good sun penetration into the family room in colder months and enclose dramatic volumes in the central space the Architect has introduced a bold, visually arresting play of curving and floating roof elements.
The demolition of the old poorly oriented original house has enabled a new higher density development to meet the sustainability objectives of the Canberra Territory Plan (i.e. to reduce urban sprawl). The use of a rich and light palette of materials and strong architectural forms is in robust contrast to the conventionality adjacent buildings. The project aspires to catalyse the revivification of one of the more venerable areas of the ACT.
The corner block constraints and have provided an opportunity for the individual dwellings to tip their caps to different streets yet retain similar solar orientation. The mixture of single and double storey elements within the design pays respect the rhythm and scale of the street. Despite a minority of neighbour’s forcefully expressed reservations about ‘the shock of the new’ the retention of existing landscape elements has allowed the bold visual impact to be ameliorated but not disguised.
Client satisfaction and a ‘design dividend’ achieved with the sale of the second house is evidence of the successful resolution of the concept against the brief. The process has been a model of synergy, binding architect, interior designer, structural engineer, landscape architect and not least the clients themselves together.
SUSTAINABILITY
Both houses have been designed with the starting point of considering the main living space as being effectively “one-room thick”. This allows for a strong relationship font and back, to winter sun in the northern pocket, access to a more private summer courtyard space and the ability to promote good cross ventilation (an important aspect often underestimated in the design of many Canberra houses).
To promote good sun penetration, enjoy volume and drama in the central space the Architect has introduced a bold, visually arresting play of curving and floating roof elements.
This site is about the sea and view. Bold and sensuous roof forms are evocative of ocean swells.
The dominant roof form and articulation of the plan form are strong enough to allow a homogenous colour scheme.
Designed for a casual lifestyle, the key living areas are sited at the rear of the block and are dominated by goldfish bowl viewing windows.
The house has been designed as a possible retirement venue. The clients were generous in the latitude they gave the design team to create a bold architectural statement on a difficult yet rewarding site.
Located on Two Sticks Road on the New South Wales and ACT border, due east of Canberra this is one of the most innovative and challenging projects undertaken by TT Architecture in recent years. In combination with a very proactive an architecturally adventurous client the outcome is a very satisfying architectural statement and environmental exemplar.
Throughout the development of the design there was a strong direction from the client to always select options giving the best environmental outcome. As a result of the house can be accurately described as “autonomous” catering for its own power water and waste requirements.
The house has no connection to any external power source generating its own electricity through an array of PV plates mounted on the water tank. Incoming water is stored on site and all outgoing effluent is treated in a bio-aquatic tank system for reuse on the site.
The use of mud bricks and recycled materials throughout the design are strong themes throughout the design. The design has also won numerous local and national awards for Sustainability.
This site is about the sea and view. Bold and sensuous roof forms are evocative of ocean swells.
The steep slope and relationship of the site to the spectacular views has dictated the placing the location of the living areas at the upper level.
The dominant roof form and articulation of the plan form are strong enough to allow a simple and homogenous colour scheme.
Designed for a casual lifestyle, the key living areas are sited to make the best combination of sun and view.
The house has been designed as a house suitable for retirement. The clients were generous in the latitude they gave the design team to create a bold architectural statement on a difficult yet rewarding site.
The house is a statement of understated exuberance.
This house sited in an old orchard in the inner and older suburb of Pialligo in the ACT demonstrates not only the striking use of material and architectural form but represents a successful outcome in the pursuit of environmental excellence.
The striking an innovative architecture was designed by Peter Overton during a long and successful cooperation with very committed and educated clients. The sensitive siting and well researched use of materials in the design of this project has resulted in a highly sustainable and regional design response.
This house has won several environmental awards including a National Energy Efficiency Award from the MBA. The design continues to stimulate considerable interest on annually run local Solar House Tour days.
The house is designed as a series of interconnected pavilions using curved Ritek composite panel roofing.
The clients stated from the outset that
“We would like a contemporary design that is light and bright but with plenty of wall space for lots of paintings. The house should be as maintenance free as possible incorporating mixed mediums on outside.”
Site is located at scenic Kiama, often described as a “quaint coastal town”.
DESIGN FEATURES
SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AWARDS
DESIGN FEATURES
Kiama is described in the official tourist website as a “quaint coastal towns and villages will surprise and delight your senses”. It is located south of Sydney and the name Kiama is from the aboriginal word Kiaram-a, to which some sources give the meaning “Where the sea makes a noise”- a reference to the famous Kiama Blowhole.
This house is slotted in as the last house in the suburb. It is located on a sloping corner site which takes in views of the rolling hills for which Kiama is famous and distinct glimpses of the ocean. The floor plan is all on one level making it suitable for ‘stay in place’ living over the long term. The accommodation consists of four bedrooms, two living areas (240m2 of living) and a double garage.
The house is designed as a series of interconnected pavilions which break up the scale of the built form. These arrangements of the pavilions enables human scaled external spaces to be sandwiched in between and be well protected, offering choices for varying seasonal conditions.
The inverted curves of the roofs are a strong visual feature of the house. They are constructed of Ritek (ArcPanel) composite steel panels which provide good insulation and spanning characteristics and also facilitate the creation of clean, relatively delicate cantilevered edges to the eave elements as an architectural feature.
The plan strikes a balance between achieving good solar gain and taking advantage of the beautiful views to the west. The resulting form is polite in scale and definitive of character.
SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
As with all TT architecture projects is great emphasis on getting orientation correctly the long axis of the living areas facing North to maximise winter solar gain even in this relatively equitable climate.
Lazer cut powdercoated aluminium curved blades not only look great but they cut out almost all of the mid-day sun.
High levels of insulation provide good thermal performance for the external walls and roof. Internal courtyard provides protection from winds on a relatively exposed site.
AWARDS
HIA EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION
Winner – Contract houses $500,000 – $650,000
JUDGES COMMENTS: This well-designed contemporary home is connected by over-lapping pavilions which break the scale of the built form. All are covered by an exceptionally curved double corrugated insulated iron roof which allows for large spans without roof framing. Internal finishes are superb. A most deserving winner
