Image Credit : Shannon McGrath
Project Overview
The burdening design challenges of this unique inner-city site have yielded an innovative and surprisingly over-scaled addition to a run-down Victorian cottage.
Project Commissioner
C/- RACHCOFF VELLA ARCHITECTURE
Project Creator
Team
TONY VELLA - ARCHITECT / DIRECTOR
STEPHEN RACHCOFF - DIRECTOR
ALEX NANOPOULOS / WADE STEVENS - ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTSMAN
Project Brief
A focused attempt was made to blur the building’s edges, intentionally creating a space that continued from side boundary to boundary and one that could be fully experienced by the occupants. The pool, deck and lawn are conceived as extensions to the living zones and are detailed to emphasize this connection.
The transition from the existing house and perimeter service areas were compressed with lower ceilings, which emphasises the over scaled living zone. This generosity of space allowed for an oversized fireplace that, together with carefully detailed joinery, became the focal points of this room. The walls and ceiling are wrapped in lining boards creating a warmth that is afforded given its scale.
The material palette intentionally avoids a highly polished over styled aesthetic; rustic spotted gum flooring, concrete, lining boards, rough sawn external cladding and bluestone ground the building.
Having a willing and trusting client and an accommodating builder this project represents a true team effort that produced a very successful result. For the RVA team the commitment to a creative design approach produces unpredictable and exciting design outcomes, something that this project has truly benefited from.
Project Need
Taking advantage of the adjoining three storey concrete wall creates a dramatic and unconventional built form with maximized natural light unexpected additional ceiling height; an innovative approach that would be considered impossible on a conventional site.
Design Challenge
This project and site presented some great opportunities as well as the obvious constraints, a generous width considering its inner-city context was balanced by a lack of depth and a three storey concrete wall on its rear boundary.
Given a romantic attachment to the building it was carefully restored re-instating period details and preparing the plan for the new additions. However it was the new additions that were free to explore various spatial and architectural options that could take advantage of the unique site.
It was here that the idea of replacing the old lean-to structures with a new one was explored, instead this time by leaning it up against the adjoining boundary wall rather than the existing house. In essence it is an angled roof pitched away from the existing house almost resting itself up against the dominating rear boundary wall. It became very apparent that not only was this proposal screening much of the undesired wall it was creating a rare volume of space and an expressive built form.
Sustainability
Facing north with a predominately glass façade the main living zone provides the perfect orientation to promote passive solar design principles. Its articulated fully operable façade accepts and rejects the sun as required whilst also offering visual relief, light and shade whilst not overwhelming the courtyard space it shares.
Highlight operable window promotes strong cross ventilation, reducing cooling loads as the heat within rises vertically within the large volume of space. A solar hot water system, energy efficient Hydronic heating and appliances, together with a super insulated shell.
Architecture - Residential - Constructed
This award recognises the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project must be constructed.
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