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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Monolith House in Victoria, Australia by Rara ArchitectureNovember 10th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Rara Architecture Our mission was to reinstate the old home’s glory through highlighting it’s simplistic characteristics and its overall form. We stripped it right back to a neutral state. The height of the rear addition had the potential to dwarf the original heritage home, so, sympathetically, we mimicked the roof angle, but didn’t hide it. Nothing about the addition is ‘trying to hide’ anything. The old building transitions smoothly to the new, visually and emotionally, both internally and externally – the old floorboards transition to a new polished concrete slab, the old weatherboards transition to a perforated brick wall (outlining the central Zen garden) and then again to a solid brick wall. The addition, which can be enjoyed from the rear lanes and from within the property stands proud, like the existing Edwardian; it stands high, and strong without any exaggeration or excess, it is brutal, minimal and statuesque: a monolith.  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander
 Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander Our client hired us knowing the value an architect can add to the quality of their space. Bianca pushed us really hard to getting an exceptional work of architecture and not something easy they could ‘pull off’ as owner builders. This licensed us to explore some challenging design ideas that were pushed around in council for a while and was quite challenging structurally.  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter The result is outstanding. It’s a humble house, with a simple and modest extension that meets the highest standards – everything is considered. With a variety of different spaces to enjoy and storage for everything. No one would guess there were two toddlers living in the space.  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander The front half is a fully refurbished double fronted weatherboard Edwardian with a calm grey palette that really celebrates the old. The new mimics the striking form of the Edwardian, while employing the use of modern materials built to last. The design intent is to make the space feel endless and not confined; to be able to see right through the house, regardless of where you are. The new open plan living and dining areas boast ample space for entertaining by eliminating the island bench. The client wanted to pack away the amenities behind a wall; so we gave her exactly that.  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander Upstairs, we managed to avoid frosted windows by dropping fixed windows to the floor (more interactive for the children), while having the openable windows above 1.7m. The raked cathedral ceilings make the space feel larger than it is in the playroom/study area.  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander The site is less than 300sqm, making it difficult to design a functional 3 bedroom family home with enough subsidiary space for each family member that meets today’s market expectations. So we decided to forget about the market’s expectations and make a truly beautiful space that did all of those things simply and perfectly and suited for a family.  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter The result is a space that feels like it’s floating. Externally, the facade dons only a slim line window ribboning the bottom leaving a brilliantly blank monolithic wall looming over the back yard.  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter We aimed to create a house that would be easy to heat and cool while providing plenty of natural light and a healthy environment for a family. Here are elements that were considered when designing Monolith house as an easily maintained home: -First floor extension overhangs the ground floor sliding doors creating an eave that limits summer heat gain and allows for low winter sun heat gain – Concrete flooring on the ground floor extension acts as a thermal mass: absorbing solar heat in winter and radiating into the space after sundown; staying cool in summer to help maintaining a low indoor temperature  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter – Operable windows on both sides of the house facilitate cross-flow ventilation (East/west axis from pantry to internal courtyard, north/south from backyard to front rooms and door) – Main windows in the living area face North. Courtyard is orientated to maximise northern exposure, – Eastern internal courtyard brings ventilation and natural light into multiple spaces (print room, living room, GF hall area, stairwell and playroom area upstairs) – Low windows in north-facing wall in upstairs bedrooms minimise heat gain – Walls insulation is 3.5 Earthwool  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter  Image Courtesy © Alison McWhirter – All new windows are double glazed, majority of which are Low-E – Recycled double brick wall on both boundaries of the ground floor extension reducing thermal mass transmission via air cavity. – 2000L Rain water tank of collecting roof water used to water the garden – Hydronic heating throughout the house – Water efficient water fixtures  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Christopher Alexander About Rara Architecture Rara Architecture’s strongest value is that well considered architecture should be available to everybody; projects of all scales and budgets. Rara are dedicated to providing smart, cost-effective spaces, that respond to the client’s brief, their lifestyle and the characteristics Rara aims to create spaces that are tailored to the end user: enjoyable to use and aesthetically pleasing. Rara works continuously with its clients from initial design stage to construction allowing a smooth construction process.  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture  Image Courtesy © Rara Architecture
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Categories: Autocad, House, Residential |
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