2015 National Architecture Awards: Residential – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Orama by Smart Design Studio Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): National Award Australian Institute of Architects

Jury citation

The jury was impressed by this monumental concrete and glass extension, which is a perfect contemporary companion to Orama, the stately Victorian villa of similar proportions that sits in front. The transitions from old to new are deftly handled to celebrate the new partnership of forms with framed views from one to the other. The junctions are seamless and preserve the qualities of enclosure in the original rooms. The resolution of detail throughout the project is consistently intricate, meticulous and at times breathtaking in its precision. Such execution is a credit to the close working relationship between builders and architects.

The grand proportions, mass and fine detail of the original villa are interpreted in a bold and dramatic contemporary extension that celebrates the collective skills of the designers and builders in the same way the original house did in its day. The result is a balanced composition where old and new do not compete but speak equally of gracious contemporary living.

Read the project review by Sing D’Arcy from Houses 105.

Products and materials

External and internal walls
Off-form concrete from Boral.
Windows and doors
Vitrocsa Swimms mono fixed sliding doors in black anodized finish; Viridian ComfortPlus glass in ‘Super Clear’ finish.
Flooring
Feltex Queensbury cut-pile carpet; Lea Ceramiche Basaltina Stone Project rectified ceramic tiles in ‘Stuccata’ with matt finish.
Lighting
Viabizzuno Foro lights; Delta Light You-Turn On Opto lights; Serge Mouille Mur wall lights; Nocturnal Lighting Kowari bollard lights.
Kitchen
Barazza Velvet touch screen oven and Select burner hob; Dupont Corian benchtops in ‘Designer White’; DUWA Joinery stainless steel bench, cupboards and drawers; Astra Walker Icon mixer.
Bathroom
DUWA Joinery Carrara Statuary marble vanity and bath surround, honed; Astra Walker Icon floor-mounted bath mixer, wall-mounted basin mixer and shower rose arm in aged brass; Kaldewei Classic Duo bath in white steel enamel.
Heating and cooling
Rotex hydronic underfloor heating.
Other
Zinc-clad Monarch garage door.

Credits

Project
Orama
Architect
Smart Design Studio
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Project Team
William Smart, Lucy Bedbrook, Anita Panov
Consultants
Builder AEA Constructions
Concrete Masterform
Engineer Istruct Consulting Engineers
Landscape designer Dangar Group
Site Details
Location Sydney,  NSW,  Australia
Site area 719 m2
Building area 404 m2
Project Details
Status Built
Design, documentation 6 months
Construction 15 months
Category Residential
Type Alts and adds, New houses

Source

Award

Published online: 5 Nov 2015
Words: National Architecture Awards Jury 2015
Images: Sharrin Rees

Issue

Architecture Australia, November 2015

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