Connecting the three storey internal volume is a glazed void, a room within a room, drawing through fresh air, light and the open elements. At its base a pond mirrors the sky and cools convecting air. Privacy and direct light are moderated via woven steel mesh, draped within as if the veil from an oversized lantern.
The house rigorously conceals and integrates mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems. Seamless outcomes have been achieved by close collaboration with structural and services engineers, from earliest design conception to final resolution.
The first floor is the clients private retreat with roof terrace, master suite, library and study. Here the elevated facade can be engaged with at a very intimate level; channelling views out over the grassy knoll to the street’s plane trees. The contrasting light and dark furniture palette within articulates personality traits of the clients, distinguishing ‘her’ study from ‘his’.
The basement is half entrenched in the earth and half revealed. Here dark tones sit against slick bodies of water; focusing the sensory experience. A large retractable glass wall disappears to open the pool to the entertainment space , as light emanates from the light well – a grotto for fun, fitness and relaxation.
House 20 is space inhabited between elemental plane, void and axis. Light, views, colour and texture are woven through the concrete blades to create a flowing interplay of spatial experiences.
Credits:
Practise Team: Stephen Jolson, Mat Wright, Abe McCarthy, Andrew Prodromou, Chloe Pockran, Sue Carr, Jaclyn Lee,
Construction Team: Len Bogatin and Associates
Consultant team: Arup Melbourne (Structural/Civil Engineer), Medlands (Electrical/Mechanical/Hydraulic Engineer), SBE (Environmental Consultant), WT Partnership (Cost Consultant), BSGM (Building Surveyor), Aloha (Pool), Urban Intelligence (Home Automation), Julian Ronchi (Landscape)
