Jury comment
Both Ekuan Kenji’s radical 1962 Capsule House and Kurokawa Kisho’s socially optimistic 1972 Nakagin Capsule Tower define one of the few moments in the history of architecture that gave rise to a typology that highlights how little the house and apartment typology has changed.
To misinterpret the historic architectural quotations in this project as “scenographic” or “nostalgic” would be a mistake. It is timely for architects to engage with history and ideas that might provide a springboard for future thinking.
With a floor area of twenty-seven square metres, this lean project is an acknowledgement of the creativity of the Japanese Metabolism movement. More importantly, it is a contemporary example that develops a spatially rich infill, adaptive re-use and multiple housing project as paradigm.
The jury lauds the design principles of the project and its assumed Loosian approach, where “form is fit for purpose.” This work is manifestly founded on passion and intelligence in architecture.
See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.
Award for Apartment or Unit is supported by Maximum.
Read Freya Lombardo’s review of Bobhubski here.
Products and materials
- Internal walls
- Polyflor SaarFloor Noppe Stud Tile in ‘Orange 010’; Perini Cabra porcelain tiles in matt ‘White 100’ and gloss ‘Orange 100’.
- Flooring
- Perini Cabra tiles in matt ‘White 100’.
- Lighting
- Custom-designed lighting by March Studio.
- Kitchen
- Abey Schock sink; Sussex Scala tapware; Miele Slimline rangehood.
- Bathroom
- Mizu Bloc bath; Alape Unisono counter basin.
- Other
- Stools by Rigmarole Design; seating by Marriott Bespoke Furniture.
Credits
- Project
- Bobhubski
- Architect
- March Studio
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
- Project Team
- Rodney Eggleston, Jenny Kan
- Consultants
-
Builder
Robert Morgan (owner)
Cabinetmaker Pro Sculpt
- Site Details
-
Location
Falls Creek,
Vic,
Australia
Site type Rural
Building area 27 m2
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Design, documentation 3 months
Construction 7 months
Category Residential
Type Alts and adds, Apartments
Source
Award
Published online: 4 Aug 2017
Images:
Peter Bennetts
Issue
Houses, August 2017