Project Type: New Build Single Residential
Site: Gympie St, Bulleen
Architect: Gary Hancock of Apogee Architecture and G&T Architecture
Deliverables:
Concept and Design
Documentation
Contract Administration
Key details:
Project scope: $1.2m build
Build timeframe: 15 months
Total building area: 400 sqm
Completed: 2013
New suburban infill revitalisation in a post WW2 suburb. The client desired a family home for 4 that required zoned facilities and for a maintenance free sustainable occupation in a modern vein.
The project commenced as an exercise in sub-urban renewal of a 50+ year old home. This home was deemed to be inefficient and cost ineffective to renew, resulting in a knock down-rebuild approach. Unconstrained by the existing building fabric, a new pathway to more opportunities and a sustainable living environment became available, meeting the clients aspirations. The ultimate desirable outcome was to maximise views over the parkland opposite.
Sitting on a sloping site, the challenge was to use this to advantage, which provided the opportunity and solution to create a maintenance free environment and a configuration of spaces, as required by the client, within the building envelope.
The approach to resolve these challenges involved reconfiguring the sloping site and allowing the stacking of two storey living spaces over a semi basement level. This created an opportunity to enjoy the adjacent municipal parklands with a terrace while also providing a high level of privacy. Such a design is not obvious as the use of earth berm is concealed.
The result “Shoehorned” 400m2 of total building area on a 600m2 site without overload. Recreational spaces were expanded upon to house specific hobbies and provide for flexibility into the clients retirement years.
To maximise outdoor space while accommodating private secondary spatial requirements, the home wraps around a central open sided courtyard. This allowed for the greatest utilisation of solar opportunity while bringing a sense of openness to the interior spaces.
The building fabric selection of masonry, metal and solar responsive glass lead to the achievement of the maintenance free environment. A befitting outcome with the neighbourhood character. The environmentally conscious thinking allows for the longevity of this home, unlike the previous building. A project scope cost of $1.2 million that in today’s terms is circa $2.0 million.