Harris Hobbs House Carport & Entry by Townsend + Associates Architects

July 18th, 2009 - Posted in Homes Renovation

Harris Hobbs House Australia

Canberra based Townsend + Associates Architects have completed this exterior design of harris hobbs house with the main issue to provide an attractive and welcoming studio entry in the midst of domestic back-of-house and provide dachshund friendly design and with the main ideas are to use of natural light to counter south orientation – introduction of height and volume to provide a visual link between the street and studio, to capture garden views and light.

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The owners project-managed the works under an Owner Builder construction permit. Building work was projected by Harijs Piekalns who was meticulous in all aspects of the construction. Steelwork was fabricated and installed by Brian Cropp whose precise and analytical approach achieved a rare level of construction clarity and finish. The combination of Harijs and Brian has created an extremely refined building that is much more than just a carport, shed and entry. The owners were also the landscape architects, augmenting and enriching the new view corridors.

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The architecture explores space-making within a building of prosaic function. The sculptural ‘z form’ roof acknowledges existing adjacent built forms. The stepped steel rafters gather northern light creating a ‘corridor of light’ and making a visual connection from the street approach to the studio door in the rear garden. The roof is articulated over primary steel beams running parallel with the house and the plywood soffit provides a warm honey glow enriching the entry experience. This project continues the exploration of expressed structural steel and demonstrates the practice’s commitment to resolving and detailing all aspects of all projects.

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Rainwater from the roof is maintained on site and directed into a river-rock landscaped ‘soak’ which is a small scale retention device. – Roof insulated with R1.5 Anticon to eliminate winter condensation problems – Existing carport rafters (high quality oregon) re-cycled as shelving in the store – Existing clay paving re-used – Plantation grown hoop pine ply – Natural materials used where possible.

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