2015 Houses Awards: New House under 200 m2

New House under 200 m2 Sawmill House by Archier 2015 Houses Awards

Jury comment

Much of the delight in the Sawmill House lies in the conjunction of rawness and finesse. Clearly a labour of love, the design seems improvised according to the methods, skills and materials found on site and within its locale. Most interesting is the recycled concrete blocks that form the primary walls. With many imperfections in their texture and colour, they offer a richness and security in mass that counterpoint the delicacy of other key elements such as the timber screen.

The interest in detail is towards informality: the design allows living to be carried out in a single, continuous space for sleeping, socializing and eating. The spatial interest lies in how this can be adapted according to the season, time of day and requirements of occupation. The house is effectively a verandah that can be enclosed. The design uses low-tech, albeit inventive devices, including a nine-metre sliding glass wall and similarly long timber screen and roof portion, to open up or shut down the pavilion, to moderate the environment and transform interior to garden. The screen bestows a beautiful quality of light and richness to the interior, which is complemented by brass-clad joinery and a formply ceiling. This is a welcoming space.

See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.

Award for New House under 200 m2 supported by Artedomus.

Credits

Project
Sawmill House
Architect
Archier
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Project Team
Chris Haddad (project architect); Chris Gilbert (lead designer); Josh FitzGerald (designer)
Consultants
Builder Ben Gilbert (owner)
Engineer Don Moore & Associates
Furniture ArchierAgency of Sculpture
Landscaping Agency of Sculpture
Lighting consultant Archier
Site Details
Project Details
Status Built
Category Residential
Type New houses

Source

Award

Published online: 31 Jul 2015
Images: Benjamin Hosking

Issue

Houses, August 2015

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