Project Overview

Given the sites constraints and exposure, the design provided internal and external spaces that can be used year-round. The entry, living areas, courtyard and rear gardens, despite topography, are connected by an uninterrupted sequence of spaces. While the main living level is generally open-plan, it is discretely ordered: Its walls, an operable ‘breezeway’ that moderate light and guide with its form deep into the living-areas. The spatial arrangements, like the balconies, overlap one another. External shading with deep eaves, retractable and fixed external blinds moderate east/west (and summer's northern) sun. This, together with the understated use of colour, through texture and materiality, blurs the edges of its rooms.

Project Commissioner

Private Client

Project Creator

Zanazan Architecture Studio

Team

Shahe Simonian - Director
Philipp Barnstorf - Project Architect
Saro Karadanian
Wissam Shedid

Project Brief

Our client's initial brief was to design a contemporary, but not modern, home that sat comfortably within the context and character of other homes in the area in order to make the process through Council 'easy'. They wanted a home that captured the light and sunshine throughout the seasons and maximised the headland views to the east, but which will also be energy and water efficient. The Owner also sought to increase the usable outdoor spaces around the house by creating new terraces, decks and soft landscaped areas in lieu of the existing inaccessible lower gardens.

This plan was thwarted after concerns about views was raised by neighbours and Council requested we "shape the roof". We looked to the Futurist architects and Dadaism for inspiration on 'breaking with tradition' we found more agile and dynamic form in the work of Man Ray to morph our design into a series of interconnected and overlapping forms. Refining the brief to give greater consideration to the view lines of neighbours across the road, to the west by increasing setback to the northern boundary and by lowering  the overall height of the proposal. And finally eliminating the basement garage the overall roof height was considerably reduced while improving the landscape curtilage. It’s not often we thank Council for refusing a design proposal, but in this instance, that was the impetus to re-image what could be possible on the site.

Project Innovation/Need

Being able to contain the client’s brief within the constraints of Council’s building envelope, while still providing spaces that delight. A sculptural solution that use glass to accentuate these sculptural qualities and emphasises the rhythm and play of light.

Design Challenge

Respecting the view corridors of properties above and adjoining the site while not compromising the client’s brief or architectural intent.

Sustainability

The building footprint is oriented along the east/west axis, with the shorter elevations facing east/west. A "cooling spine" within the centre of the house, draws cool air from the basement up through the house and through the atrium skylight. External shading with deep eaves, retractible & fixed external blinds moderate east/west (and summer's northern) sun. They also blur the edge of rooms giving the perception.

The central courtyard provides sheltered space that faces north and it’s really like an arm that provides an embrace. The owners love the shape and what it offers. It’s much more exaggerated in real life than on the plan. The crank enabled greater separation between this house and the heritage house immediately to the north. It provided better context and an opportunity to attract more northerly light than otherwise possible.

The courtyard, once opened, becomes an extension of the interior spaces, merging otherwise quite separate areas. The filtering feature tree both protects (from sun and prying eyes) and connects the landscape to the house; Buffering the transition between inside to out and drawing winter sunlight across the floor. The house accommodated solar panels, water tank reserves and an abundance of natural light.

Architecture - Residential - Constructed

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.
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