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.
– Jury citation
Products and materials
- Roofing
- Lysaght Klip-Lok.
- External Walls
- Precast concrete with natural finish; existing blockwork; Sirex paint system.
- Internal Walls
- Existing masonry walls with hard set plaster; timber studwork walls; low-VOC paints.
- Windows and Doors
- Celery-top pine jambs, heads and sills; Western red cedar sliding shutters; celery-top pine internal doors. Irodori sudare reed blinds.
- Flooring
- Concrete; tiles.
- Lighting
- Megabay OMNYX3 spotlight and Zimano downlights; Fagurhult sidelight.
- Kitchen
- Miele oven, cooktop, microwave and dishwasher; Qasair rangehood; Liebherr fridge; Weatherfoil stainless steel sink; Rogerseller Midi sink mixer.
- Bathroom
- Rogerseller Pino Architect semi-recessed vanity basin, Midi basin mixer and shower mixer; Kaldewei bath; Duravit toilet; Caroma cistern; Madinoz bathroom accessories.
- Heating/Cooling
- In-slab heating; Cheminees fireplace.
- Other
- Stonework by Apollo Stone; joinery by Crescon Joinery and Bauhaus Kitchens.
Credits
- Project
- Trial Bay House
- Design architect
- James Jones, Architectus
- Architectural practice
- HBV Architects
Hobart, Hobart, Tas, Australia
- Project Team
- Petrina Moore, Scott Christensen, Helen Daly
- Consultants
-
Builder
Bennett Construction
Building surveyor Peter Angus
Environmental consultant Steve Watson
Lighting Southern Lighting
Mechanical and electrical engineer Tasmanian Building Services
Structural engineer Gandy and Roberts Consulting Engineers
- Site Details
-
Location
Trial Bay,
Tas,
Australia
Site type Rural
Building area 450 m2
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Design, documentation 12 months
Construction 12 months
Category Residential
Type New houses
Source
Awarded Project
Published online: 30 Jun 2011
Words:
National Architecture Awards Jury 2010
Images:
Ray Joyce
Issue
Architecture Australia, November 2010