Project description:

This monolithic plaster house with a European look was designed around a number of German products.

The house needed to feature the products that our client is advertising. It was a hard task to make the most of the views (to the south) and at the same time make the most of the sun, which awkwardly sets behind the hill that the house is carved into. The steep hill site played a huge part in the design and landscaping. The two straight forward gable shapes are separated by a slice of glass that houses stairs and a lift and a bridge connects the two volumes at the upper floor level. One wing is pulled forward to create some distance from the slope and allow for sun and light to stream into the house.

Design features & creative solutions:

 This steep section overlooks the beautiful Carmichael Reserve. From various parts of the house you have a different outlook on the reserve.

The slice of glass that separates the two main volumes allows you to view the reserve even from the garden area behind the house. Behind the stairs is a bridge that connects the living spaces with the bedroom wing.

The client uses the house as a show home for his European products.

The upper floor is completely built out of AAC-blocks (aerated autoclaved concrete), commonly used in European buildings. The plaster finish on the exterior originates from Germany, as well as the screed floor system, under floor heating system and the interior doors. The AAC blocks retain the heat and release it slowly, in summer the blocks keep the heat out. This provides a healthy living environment: a constant interior temperature and  a minimum of energy has to be put in.

The plaster finish is combined with a warm stained timber, to soften the corner you approach first, the timber wraps around it. The underside of the overhang of the upper floor is also clad in timber; this carries on along the front entry, to emphasize the height of the entrance.

Views cut right through the main volumes, to make sure you look outside from every point in the house.