The White Lookout

By Biotope Architecture and Interiors

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Post-war Australian architecture in the 1960s was dominated by the Beachcomber, an affordable, open plan family home. In Tasmania, however, it was a slightly different story. Although the houses were influenced by the Beachcomber style, they were made with materials that suited the climate, involving more masonry than what was used on the mainland. The White Lookout is an alterations and additions project for a professional couple and their growing family inspired by the iconic Beachcomber and the spectacular location with impressive views of the Derwent River.

The existing 1960s home is considerably set back from the front boundary, resulting in a largely unusable and exposed front yard. To remedy this, we designed the extension to the front yard using a combination of timber cladding and slatted screening, also adopting slatted fencing around the much-needed additional play and entertaining area for the family. The slatted screen to the new extension has a dual purpose: it screens the stairs and provides shade from the summer sun to the newly added bedroom, which opens out to eastern water views and to the north for solar gain.

For the additions, our material palette inspiration came from the painted masonry, timber cladding and concrete stairs of the original house. The new bedroom, ensuite, garage and stair are infused with 1960s and Beachcomber sensibilities, while a parapet roof works to maximise views and minimise the height from the neighbouring properties.

Fieldnotes:

- The panoramic views looking out to the Derwent River inspired the window positions and sizes in relation to the spaces.

- The two-storey precedence of the existing houses in the neighbourhood provided the opportunity to design a two storey addition.

- The original materials: timber, stone and the exposed aggregate concrete stair treads inspired the material and finish selection of the additions.

Photography by Joe Grey.

Biotope Architecture and Interiors
Hobart, Tasmania
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The White Lookout

Biotope Architecture and Interiors
Biotope Architecture and Interiors
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About the
Professional

We adopt a holistic approach to designing buildings. From homes with minimal impact on the ecology of a site and discreet additions that complement existing structures to bespoke interiors crafted through collaborations with local makers. Our designs focus on context and seek to enhance the connection to the site through carefully considered spatial composition.

We look to both the immediate and broader landscapes for cues on how to preserve, regenerate and create a natural environment setting for each of our projects. It’s why we often introduce building elements, like courtyards and skylights, for example, to connect to the external environment and surrounding skyscapes. We also use passive solar design principles to reduce costs and be kinder to the Earth.

When life changes we often need to alter or expand the spaces we occupy. Whether that’s an extension to the family home for entertaining or an environmentally conscious workspace in a heritage-listed property. We design to retain and work with as much of the original heritage fabric as possible while transforming the building into a space that fits your current and future needs.

We take the location of a building and its distinctive setting seriously. These design principles grew out of the need to create an architectural language and expression that keeps with current thinking and the need for sustainable, environmentally sensitive buildings. Flora, fauna, the weather, the urban context and site history all play a significant part in informing design practice so that structures are unobtrusive elements on the landscape. Local materials and craftsmen are resourced and their bespoke elements reference the site and the environment in which a building will stand.

As the anchor for our clients, consultancy team, builders and makers, collaboration is key to the realisation of every project. Get in touch with us to start a conversation about your next project.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.