Residential architecture — houses

Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses

Trial Bay House by HBV Architects

JURY CITATION
An exceptional house may be one with such calmness and serenity that it is hard to leave. The remodelling and additions to the Trial Bay House have created such a house.

Two existing pavilions have been extensively remodelled and two new pavilions added, with enclosed linking passages.

The dominant new pavilion is strongly geometrical and robustly constructed of angled precast concrete walls, roofs and window sills, forming shutter-like apertures to the view. The view is further enhanced by the quality of light reflected off these shaped concrete reveals. Concrete was selected for its strength and durability, and despite the rigid, strong form succeeds in producing a structure of surprising softness and delicacy.

New windows and door openings have been added to the existing central pavilion, connecting house to landscape. It is not surprising that the immaculate and original details are the result of the architect carefully preparing reams of full-size drawings. The links between the pavilions are similarly carefully detailed, contributing to an ordered sense of calm.

The new pavilion is positioned to capture winter sun and the rebuilt old pergolas act as glazed greenhouses to naturally heat the existing pavilions.

There is a sense of striking originality yet extreme serenity in this understated house.

Images: Ray Joyce

For full coverage see Houses 76.

National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses

Z House by Donovan Hill

JURY CITATION
Responding to its steep hillside site, the Z House provides intrigue with a rich variety of spaces formed around a central, thickly vegetated, sloping central courtyard garden. This courtyard is the core of the house, relating building to landscape, a garden not just to look at but to be with.

The mood changes from the lofty lounge room, with subtle natural light from above and low-level courtyard windows, to the floating study loft opening to the sky and the outdoor terrace bridging over the courtyard vegetation.

Cabinetwork, stairs, windows and doors are all immaculately detailed and crafted to appear as refined works of art.

The notion of architecture as art continues externally. A small window projects to the street, displaying a fragment of the art within, while coloured tiles pattern the street facade and timber trellises encourage vigorous flowering vines.

The view from the street above is carefully considered, with abstract pebbled roofs framed by a large portal frame.

When an appreciative client proudly points out details of the house with the continual introduction “the genius of this design”, you know this is unique architecture finely crafted for client and site.

Image: Sam Thies.

National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses

Lyon Housemuseum by Lyons

JURY CITATION
In this unique project, the requirements of a family home are combined with a public museum to display the owners’ large collection of contemporary Australian art.

The majority of the space is devoted to art display, with two dominant spaces, one white and one black.

A white, light-filled, two-storey open cube with surrounding balconies allows for multiple views of artworks. The black room, by contrast, is closed for projection and video. Linking spaces come in a variety of shapes and sizes, designed for specific artworks.

Intermixed between the gallery spaces is the owners’ space for private living. The blurred distinction between public and private space, between light and dark, and between large and small creates a compelling intrigue.

Finely detailed, elaborately crafted joinery pieces, pivoting doors and sliding panels provide flexibility in this experiment of combining the dual requirements of public gallery and family needs.

The external form is ambiguous, a wrapped skin of recessive dark zinc. Sculpture courtyards are formed between the museum and outer fences of textured brickwork, which relate to neighbours’ buildings in the suburban context.

Generous and ingenious, the Housemuseum explores a new concept of living with and displaying art.

Images: Diana Snape, Derek Swalwell

For full coverage see Architecture Australia vol 99 no 1, Jan/Feb 2010.