On a tight suburban block elevated from Tamarama Beach, with no views and surrounded by overbearing houses, the sculptural extension focuses within the site boundaries to maximise the available light through a series of sequential, interlinked spaces.
A wedge shaped courtyard is carved from the northern side of the building. It acts like a funnel, drawing in northern light. Sliding doors peel back from the facade, connecting interior with exterior. An isthmus created at the pinch point of the plan separates the living room from the kitchen-dining room. The compression and expansion in plan offer a variety of spaces for family social engagement or retreat.
On the upper level a linear skylight defines the central hallway and allows natural daylight to filter through the stair to the ground floor with an extended void running the full length of the living room. Passive ESD principles underpin the design. The building form twists and shifts to capture the light. Awnings provide shading and sculptural armature to the form.
This is a flexible family home, where the restrictions on the site have been used as the generator for a poetic response to increase the perception of space and bring in the light.
NSW AIA Jury Citation:
This project involved the demolition of the rear of a semi detached house and the construction of a new two-storey pavilion with a distinctive wedge carved out of the volume for the penetration of northern sun as well as additional outside space on the ground floor level. A linear skylight on the upper level allows diffuse light to penetrate through a void to the lower level. These is an emphasis on flexibility in the house, with large sliding doors allowing for a variety of uses.
The rear garden has been treated with a sloping amphitheatre complete with trampoline and chook pen along the plentiful vegetable gardens close to the kitchen. Passive cross ventilation is achieved through operable windows throughout, allowing the sea breezes to pass through the house.
This is an example of the core idea of a design being generated by the restrictions of the site. The gesture of the wedge is the sculptural driver. The limited usable area has been maximised: a collection of creative and highly usable areas has been provided and the resultant building is joyful and filled with light.