The clients talked to us about an elegant and highly efficient space that could house themselves and their collection of paintings.  We created a simple box with diffused light from large, screened north glazing and a central suspended courtyard.

Like the clients, some of the collection originates in Asia, and so the architecture is inspired by the calm elegance and fine tectonic control of the Tezuka’s oeuvre and SANAA’s New Museum

The existing remaining rooms will be highly insulated and the new concrete flooring will provide the opportunity to increase thermal mass and deal with dampness issues to create a healthier internal living environment.

The new skin of the rear building will enclose the existing brick walls to isolate the thermal mass from external influence.

Electricity will be generated by roof mounted photovoltaics.

Water will be stored and reused on site and grey water recycled (in season).

Hot water will be generated with an evacuated tube panel.

Just back from trip to review works on the Tong-Len children’s hostel in Dharamsala, India.

The building is progressing well - my job being to integrate seismic engineering with architecture.

Children are excited about the prospect of a new home and eager for completion.

Pictured below are: Anna Owen (Tong-Len UK); Lobsang (Contractor); Dr BK Rao (CBRI Roorkee); Jamyang (Tong-Len); Ryan Strating (Architect)

…view of building works looking north east

ryan will be in dharamsala for the first two weeks of October helping Tong Len with the hostel building…

expect construction images mid October

Mt Nelson House - north east view of model

This new house is sited on an abandoned 19th Century alluvial gold mine adjacent to the Ovens River in North Eastern Victoria.

The design spans the 3m high bank that forms the edge of the old workings.  The upper level of the site is natural ground and will be the pedestrian entry; the kitchen garden and chook run.

Impact of the new work is minimal at the lower level. The flattend mullock heaps and the exposed excavated bank are environmentally compromised but historically significant - and will be planted out with local species.  

Day to day activity will span between the upper site level, the house, and the elevated terrace.  Floating over and separate from the reveg’d areas.

The Windermere House is under construction - adjacent to the Tamar River north of Launceston, Tasmania the project includes a two story addition and extensive alterations to the existing house to dramatically increase its thermal efficiency.

view from north west

Work is continuing on concepts for the Woodbridge House (Tasmania) and construction will commence later in 2009.

Neerim East House

Construction is about to begin on this small residence and meeting room in Gippsland.

The client brief cited ‘durable rudiment’ as a defining concept: our response was a small building, formally and technologically simple.

The house is autonomous and the power, water and waste systems are easy to use and require minimal regular maintenance.

Constructing images to be posted.

entry view