residence at Bowral
new home
site:
A subdivided 15m x 60m block in an established residential area, that
presents some beautiful aspects:
- an established garden with mature specimen trees providing privacy
from the street and neighbouring properties, and an oak tree with a canopy
that spans the width of the site
- a northern aspect in the width of the site, and views to Mount Gibraltar
to the north-east.
brief: to design a 4 bedroom family house, and a garage/shed on a strict
budget, including an area to be used as a consultation room during day
time without compromising the use and privacy of the family house.
The feature trees of the existing garden had to be retained.
design process to project:
Despite the difficulties that arose from the site, brief, and budget,
I developed a house design through close work and cooperation with my client
that responded successfully to most requirements and challenges.
The house by its scale and its simple roof, nestles in the existing garden
under the magnificent oak tree, and creates a sensitive, flexible living/working
place, that “touches the earth lightly”. The simple principle
of allocating “living/public spaces” to the northern aspect
with wide openings, and “functional/private spaces” with smaller
openings to the southern side for climate protection and greater insulation
mass were applied successfully. The house is warm in winter and cool in
summer. The recent addition of solar panels on the north facing roof will
add to the energy efficient qualities of this project. Many sustainable
design principles were applied, and some of the following features make
this project unique:
- a compact, innovative dwelling design under a simple structure of
9m x 13m gained by carefully designing and sizing each spaces to their
function/use, in order to minimise the gross floor area and keep project
cost to budget
- the house is sited south of the oak tree, allowing a journey through
the garden to arrive at the front door, while the garage/shed is sited
on the street front
- the oak tree is an element of the design and becomes part of the climate
control strategy for the northern facade: in winter the bare branches
let the sun in the house warming the house; in summer the leafy branches
create shelter and shade from the sun keeping the house cool
- the minimal dimensioning of some living spaces was balanced by the
design of the living room under a cathedral ceiling to encompass the
mezzanine floor, and create a high volume and uplifting space as the
heart of the family house
- the use of outdoor/indoor relationship concept, and extending living
spaces visually and physically by: creating a deck as an extension of
the living room area under the oak tree canopy, and the use of large
windows and sliding doors along the width of the northern facade, to
create connection to the garden but allowing sun penetration in winter,
and enhancing the sensation of space
- the design integrates my client’s careful selection and refurbishment
of reclaimed, second hand material and fittings; like the spiral stair,
all windows and doors, the kitchen joinery, the bathroom fittings, and
the recycled timber floor.
client testimonial:
“Nathalie transformed my preliminary sketches and ideas into
plans that produced an ambience and practicality I would never have achieved.
She was mindful of style and energy efficiency.
She took the process through drawings and Council approval, to liaison
with the builders. She was always accessible and negotiable, but prepared
to stand by what she felt was important.”
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