This site was very significant for the clients with three and now four generations of the family having lived on it over the years.
For this family home, completed whilst working at Bossley Architects, part of the clients brief was to ensure that the neighbours views and privacy were maintained. This is achieved by breaking the house down into three strong architectural forms of different heights. These three forms are identified internally and externally by different materials; finely detailed cedar cladding, dark stained plywood cladding, exposed and polished precast concrete.
The pivotal family space at the heart of this project is defined by the meeting of these three elements and opens out to a generous deck and pool area. It also connects vertically to the upper level with views up to bridge that links the concrete and plywood elements together.
The levels of this house are connected by a beautifully detailed cantilevered red ironbark stair that wraps around a screen of aged brass conveyor belt mesh. The stairwell also acts as a cooling device on a hot day by dragging cooler air from the lower level up and through the house and out through the large sliding windows on the bridge.
Although a generous home the spaces have an intimacy about them and there is always a quiet spot to be found away from hubbub of family life.
Photography:
Simon Devitt Photographer