Image Credit : Paul West Photography
Project Overview
A funky and stylish, open planned and welcoming home with all the modern conveniences, nestled into a beautifully landscaped garden. With a modern architectural style, the home has a dramatic entrance composed of a cantilevered portico, angular walls and eaves, high volumes and an amazing hand-laid stone fin wall that cuts from inside to out and soars from the impressive entrance through the first floor and beyond the roof.
The exterior also features zinc cladding on the upper walls and a stunning cantilevered, eave design complemented by the warmth of natural timber cladding and zinc-coloured face brickwork.
The interior includes crisp, custom-designed joinery throughout – all designed by the architect to work with continuity of style throughout the house. The layout is completed by a covered alfresco area in the landscaped back garden, with striking black ceiling that "disappears" into the night sky. An integrated outdoor kitchen seamlessly links the interior living spaces to the garden, swimming pool and spa. Located close to the house, the swimming pool and spa double as a water feature – bringing the outside in.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Architect: Melissa M Fleming - Metroworks Architects Pty Ltd
Builder: Michael Hill - Neumode Design & Construction Pty Ltd
Project Manager: Gerard Van der Linden - Neumode Design & Construction Pty Ltd
Project Brief
In summary, the ground floor of the house includes a master bedroom suite near the front of the house, including a private ensuite overlooking the landscaped garden and generous walk-in robe. The ground floor also accommodates the study, media room and open plan living and dining spaces linked to a large pool room. Cleverly hidden behind joinery doors and under the floor of the pool room is a 2000 bottle wine cellar. An entertainer's kitchen, butler's pantry and laundry link together to complete the ground floor level.
A cantilevered, ironbark and steel stair leads up to the first floor which accommodates four additional bedrooms, all with ensuites and built in robes. There is a large rumpus room which is separated from the stairwell by a double-sided piece of joinery - on one side a small kitchenette, on the other a study area for the children.
Project Need
The owners original design brief was conservative, but they were open-minded enough to allow their architect to have fun with the design and push the boundaries.
When this contemporary design was presented to them, they loved it, and their earlier conservative ideas were forgotten.
While the overall brief for accommodation within the house did not change, it was redefined into a funky outer "skin".
Design Challenge
While the owners' original design brief was clear, changing that to deliver a more architecturally striking result than they had ever envisaged was the main design challenge. Communication of those new ideas was key and the new look had to be "sold" to them. This was achieved by presentation of 3D photo-rendered CAD images of the new house along with the usual plans, sections and elevations.
The selection and blending of the construction materials also had to be carefully considered - to prevent the house from looking cluttered and "bitty". An additional challenge was presented when the title of the site included a covenant preventing the use of metal-clad roofs. Given the low slope and "flat" nature of most of the roofs in the design, they could not be tiled, so an alternative option had to be found. This problem was solved by the specification of a membrane roof that would traditionally only be used in commercial applications.
Sustainability
Being mindful of the environment and the issue of water restrictions in Victoria, the home includes a solar-powered hot water system and an underground 20,000 litre water tank: a far cry from the original home on the site - a 1930’s brick house with outdated and inefficient plumbing.
The latest in communication technology was also installed in the home, with a C-Bus lighting system to reduce energy demands as well as a Sonos music system and a Bang Oulfsen video/TV system.
The home is access via keyless entry technology. The front door intercom is available to be used via the I-pad control systems. A Smart security camera shows great colour coverage during the day and infrared visibility when it is dark.
Architecture - Residential - Constructed
Presented by:
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project must be constructed.
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