Pick of the Week - Hunters Hill

I have always had great interest in homes as well as general designs that use environmentally friendly and natural materials - resulting in simultaneously earthy and organic, modern and inviting environments. This is shown clearly in Hunters Hill, reflecting the client's combined Italian and Sri Lankan heritage. 

Architects: Arkhenfield

Location: Hunters Hill, New South Wales; Australia

Structural Engineer: Partridge Partners
Landscape: 360 Design
Area: 335 sqm

Year: 2013

The design negotiates well with the landscape as the architects seemed to have designed a series of 'garden rooms' that entwine the new home with the existing landscape. The usage of timber, stone and concrete create a rich texture in context with the surrounding natural and built environments. The courtyards and gardens enable private connections to the landscape and sky, creating a strong link between the interior and natural environment. Using warm, textured and robust materials, the architects were able to create a comfortable and functional interior as well as a flourishing external landscapes. 

The environmental affect was dealt with well, as the project had a minimum impact on the environment, incorporating a number of energy and water saving measures such as optimal solar orientation, thermal mass, neutral ventilation and substantial insulation. Furthermore, significant rainwater storage has been implemented too. All of the above measures would reduce the utility costs as well as minimizing the impact of the dwelling on the local infrastructure networks. 

External courtyard.

 

External views - digital renders. 

Sketch proposals. 

Photographs: Angus Martin 

All images are copyrighted and remain the property of their rightful owners. 

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Pick of the Week - Artist's Studio

Minimal spaces as well as the use of a small palate of natural materials are always interesting - especially when it is an artist's studio in this case. A well detailed, creative space for painting and sculpturing, which would in turn encourage and inspire creativity. The studio located in Melbourne, sits comfortably within an organic landscape design, designed in collaboration with Phillip Johnson Landscaping - which includes a natural pool, a waterfall and a creek, which provides a recreational space for children. 

Architects: Chan Architecture

Location: Thornbury, Victoria; Australia

Structural Engineer: Richard L Consulting Engineers
Landscape: Phillip Johnson Landscapes

Year: 2014

External facade & Landscape.

"Less is More"

The external materials chosen for the studio are all natural materials with a main emphasis on the timber cladding, which blends well with the water and rocks of the landscape. Internally, timber flooring and plywood were used on the floors, walls and ceiling too - not only as a robust surface to work on but also to create a flow of continuity from floor to ceiling level - making it not seem as a conventional residential space. The result is a unique, sculptured space which is warm and textured in my opinion.

The roof of the studio was also used to warm the water of the pool during the colder months, whilst the water from the decorative rain-chain into the pool, as depicted in one of the images below, to replace the water that was lost through evaporation. In-tun the overflow of the pool was connected to a creek that ran through the backyard, connecting the different areas of the landscape.  

Internal areas. 

Click images for larger preview.

External timber facade detail.

External entrance + facade. 

Photographs: Folded Bird Photography

All images are copyrighted and remain the property of their rightful owners. 

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