Goldfields Dwelling by Design Office

Melbourne’s Design Office has just completed phase one of this compact project in the town of Chewton, in the heart of Victoria’s goldfields. The 100-square-metre pavilion, conceived as a simple, single geometric form and clad in warm grey asphalt shingles that respond to the vernacular roofing of corrugated metal sheets, sits on an elevated site surrounded by native bushland.

Mark Simpson from Design Office describes the house as being “conceived from the dining table up.” 

“We wanted a modest-sized house, but one that could easily accommodate eight people for dinner and for staying the night,” he says. “It was also important that people could be at the table and be part of the cooking experience. After dinner we wanted a large open upholstered area adjacent to the table where people could still be part of the conversation at the dining table; this has been designed as an integrated conversation pit. In essence, we wanted a house of openness and conviviality.” 

Creating this vital sense of openness was the key challenge for the architects. It was ultimately achieved by giving over 70 percent of the floor plan to one high-ceilinged open space that mirrors the geometry of the external form. Ancillary spaces such as the sleeping areas are therefore more modest, working more like sleeping compartments than conventional bedrooms. 

Integration of the kitchen rangehood within the five-metre-high light well was one of the biggest interior challenges. “Architecturally there was a desire for it to be separate from the tiled wall and for it not to dominate the space,” says Mark. “Functionally it needed to be positioned for optimum function.”  The solution was a stainless steel “bridge” suspended between the side walls.

The apex of the house is expressed as a tiled light well. This serves to draw light down onto the work surfaces and allows for hot air to expand through the roof. An opening in the wall between the bathroom and light well provides passive ventilation for these spaces. Windows were also specifically aligned to facilitate cross ventilation, and to allow views right through the house from entry and approach. “The intention of this is to make the building appear to nestle in the landscape as opposed to sitting on top of it,” says Mark. 

The “tiered timber landscape” of the living area also adds to this effect. Its white oak joinery is complemented by concrete and ceramic tile: the overall result is a calm and simple backdrop for living. The bathroom, with its soothing matt green tiles, is a similarly peaceful space.

The project is now about to enter its second phase, which will focus on landscaping and the completion of the joinery.