Category
Residential

Year
2008

State
Victoria

Photographer
Derek Swalwell

The project cuts a slice along a steep contour and fits carefully between an open exposed street nature-strip and an existing tennis court.  As a building, this dwelling becomes a retaining wall in itself, dealing with the sloping land form.  With a heavy concrete panel wall addressing the street, a dark stained plywood box punctures the wall.  This is the entry to the building.

The building program comprises master bedroom, living areas and connecting decks at the upper level. As the land falls away, further bedrooms and a large rumpus at the lower level have a greater connection with the site, with its intimate views, an open lawn area and the tennis court. The facade is clad in materials typical to coastal environments – stained roughsawn cedar cladding, naturally finished concrete panels and sections of compressed sheet as a feature. The dwelling is 4 Star energy rated, with insulated concrete panels, double glazing, water tanks and upgraded insulation.