Summary

Blinds by Peter Meyer were engaged to provide a shading solution for a Tennyson Point 3 level residence that maximised views while providing privacy at night.

The project required a significant amount of collaboration to overcome design challenges and achieve unique solutions in terms of execution and accessibility.

The shading solutions gave the client flexibility to adjust the amount of shading and daylighting when desired, without inhibiting their view towards the waterfront and neglecting privacy or thermal control.

Project Description

We were engaged by architecture firm StudioJLA on a stunning 3-Level waterfront home consisting of a 5-bedroom residence with 8 car parks, pool boathouse, jetty and lift access. The design considered both form and function, with an honest consideration of natural materials such as polished concrete, timber and steel to frame an elegant architectural solution.

The purpose of the overall project was to curate a space that not only met the client brief, but also a home that takes advantage of its contextual landscaping to provide a balance between form and function.

Located along the foreshore of Tennyson Point in NSW, this residence is designed to champion its water views from every level and the client wanted to take advantage of these views while preserving privacy at night.

In order to meet client expectations, the shading solution would require concealment as the residence consists of a series of cantilevered elements developed to embrace the occupants to its water views and surroundings.  The key emphasis needed to be maximising the views onlooking the tranquil water view without neglecting daylighting, shading, privacy, and thermal control for the client.

In executing the project, we stumbled on some significant design challenges that prevented us from delivering an out of the box solution for both the internal blinds and external shading in the Alfresco area.

Firstly, the total area requiring blinds was a 26.6 square metre conservatory-style slanted glass roof. On an occasion like this, where the space is too large for an internal blind, we would opt for an external product. In this case, due to the glass construction, we were unable to fit the brackets externally and had to workshop an alternative solution. In collaboration with our Studio JLA, we executed a solution that placed the external blinds on the inside of the glass with the Weinor Sontezza II Undermount Conservatory Awning. In total, we used two Sontezza systems that were both 3040mm wide with a 4375mm projection. The motorisation from these two systems allowed for complete adaptability, enhancing flexibility for our clients in their ability to draw natural daylight into the space where suitable, maximising lighting and shading specific to their needs. The use of linear fabric with colour matching also aided in the aesthetics by blending the window shading into its surroundings.

The implementation challenges we faced with the external awning in the Alfresco area was the lack of structure to mount our Weinor Opal II Full Cassette Folding Arm Awning to. A metal goal post structure was then fabricated and clad in Timber to allow us to have a structure to adequately fix to. The resulting outdoor shading over the Alfresco area is a unique solution with regard to user accessibility. With the retractable feature, the clients were given the flexibility to adjust the amount of shading, and daylighting when desired without inhibiting their view towards the waterfront.

Through strong collaboration, our teams were once again able to deliver a solution that worked perfectly with its surroundings and executed exactly to the client’s brief.

The project allowed the client the flexibility to entertain their family and friends all year round without jeopardising important elements such as privacy, and thermal comfort. As well as enjoy an uninhibited waterfront view and boat moorings in their luxurious tri-level residence.

Photography: Hamilton Lund