09/1058 - MCU - Detached House [As Published] · 132009.1058

Piper Street Residence Job No. 025

FORM

The building’s form is a response to both the immediate site and the subtropical climate. As
previously mentioned the building is conceived as two pavilions which ‘float over the native
landscape. The fact that these two pavilions are quite narrow (4800mm) means that all
spaces enjoy good cross ventilation and, with the opposing pitches of the two roofs, winter
sun penetration.

The conceptual planning of the house as both a ‘path’ and a protected ‘outdoor room’ is
further enhanced by the formal gesture of the folded wall/roof of each pavilion. Through
complimentary materials (clear sealed ply wood, oiled hardwood, clear sealed fibre cement
sheet and ‘woodland grey’ roof sheet) the gesture of the folded walls ‘capturing’ the central
out door room conjures up images of trees hanging over a path. The imagery of protecting
trees or hands which the folded walls conjures is not simply visual. This form creates a very
private, protected and secure external space which also has a direct and necessary link to
the greater natural environment.

Although the two external longitudinal elevations do not have eaves the ‘internal’ longitudinal
and shorter elevations of each pavilion have generous ‘tropical scaled’ eaves. The north west
elevation is animated through a series of shutters which allow views and air flow in good
weather yet allow the house to be closed down in inclement weather — when the inhabitants
can retreat to the protection of the central out door room. The south east elevation is also
articulated through the incorporation of a series of timber blades.

66% of the external walls of the building have eaves, all of which are greater than 600mm.
The other 34% of the external walls consist of the architectural gesture of the folded ‘roof /
walls which give the building it's unique aesthetic. An aesthetic, which is complimentary, both
to the natural landscape as well as the sub tropical beachside nature of the locality.

CONCLUSION

It is hoped that the minimal intrusions into the six metre setback by the upper floor and the
generous ‘tropical’ eaves are assessed against the significant measures the have been put in
place to allow the natural environment to become part of sites composition. By setting the
building back further than is required on the lower level (where it counts) the open space and
associated native vegetation to the ground plane becomes a far more intrinsic part of the site
than if there were simply a solid wall of building on the six metre set back.

It is intended that the building address both pragmatic requirements of a beach house for a

large family whilst softly integrating itself within both the built and natural coastal
environments.

Sparks Architects issue A — 28/7/09 Page 3 of 3