By Mackenzie Pronk Architects
The site for House SPS36 is located east of Manly Golf Links, and immediately adjacent a heritage-listed pumping station (SPS 36). The site included shared boundaries with five other properties, an existing heritage listed brick fence that had to be incorporated, an existing electricity kiosk on the site and is located in a flood zone.
The challenge was to create a new dwelling respectful of the better qualities of the streetscape and the heritage item. The new dwelling has a contemporary spirit yet sits harmoniously with the adjacent heritage-listed structure. The two buildings are of similar height, proportion and scale, the materials are similar yet the house is clearly of its time. The proposed design is a contemporary freestanding urban home in a landscaped setting. The design was conceived as a well mannered simple brick form – two-tone face brickwork demarcates the raised ground floor level - a solid brick base transitions to mid-tone face brickwork with a lightweight metal-clad attic style upper storey.
Detail of the fenestration enliven the facades and include a tall western window stretching over two storeys and attic style dormer windows to the upper floor. The proposed house asserts a quiet contemporary dignity, possesses a neighbourly disposition and presents as a high-quality family home befitting its location.
Photography: Belle Property
Heidi Pronk and Neil Mackenzie formed Mackenzie Pronk Architects in 2004. Neil and Heidi have experience in public building, urban design, conservation, adaptive re-use, commercial and residential buildings. The practice aims to produce high quality sustainable architectural design working closely with clients to craft unique, appropriate and cost effective design solutions.
The practice is small enough to ensure the principals involvement in all aspects of a projects design and procurement. The practice offers a full range of architectural services for a wide variety of project types tailored to the needs of the client.
Neil Mackenzie has a wide range of experience working in public building, urban design, conservation, adaptive re-use, industrial, commercial and residential buildings. Graduating with honours from Sydney University in 1993. Neil is a Registered Architect [no. 6512] and a member of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Heidi Pronk has extensive experience working locally and in the United Kingdom in public building, adaptive re-use, commercial, education and residential buildings. Heidi worked for the Government Architects Office on scholarship throughout her studies and graduated from Sydney University in 1995, is a Registered Architect [no. 7208] and a Member Australian Institute of Architects.
The studio is collaborative and seeks the involvement of staff in all facets of practice, valuing all inputs – all members of staff make coffee and the partners sweep the floors. The following people have all contributed to the ongoing success of the practice;
Jo Vrnistas, Richard Healy Finlay, Vanessa Stacy, Suyama Bodhinayake, Timmy Lum, Martin Abbott, Nicola Strange, Kitty Lee, Jack Temple, Vi Le, Amrish Maharaj, Courtney Owen, Justine Simpson, Kat Wong, Estelle Rehayem, Iva Ivanova, Jos Tarr, Shane Byrnes and Natalie Taouk.