2015
This simple addition at Della Torre has given this house in Ivanhoe a new street frontage. The operable louvre facade caps the open plan living area, and mediates the public / private engagement between the dinner table and the street.
The simple extruded form and repeated structure respond to the clients need, while offering an efficiently planned envelope to house the programmatic requirements. Sustainability is a key part of this design. The north facade is protected by a steel awning, which blocks out the summer sun while allowing the winter sun to stream in, while the operable aluminium louvres to the west facade keep out the harsh evening sun. The thermal mass of the exposed polished concrete floor regulates extremes in temperature, while the in-floor hydronic coils provide additional heating when required. With the house opening onto the garden, the effective cross breezes (or ceiling fans, when required) there is no need for A/C in this house. The north facing solar panels on the roof of the existing house also produces power surplus to the house’s needs which is fed back into the grid.
A playful detailing of materials and efficient, effective space planning characterise this simple addition. Exposed materials such as spotted gum timber, polished concrete and recycled timber portal frames are used to give legibility to the the material palette, again reflecting the refined approach to the architecture.
The joinery and portals orientate the user towards the garden and the street. Engagement with the outside is key to making the addition work in this context.
The bravery of the client to engage publicly with the street created a highly innovative presence that extends the refined internal living space outward. The exposed timber portals private a warmth and texture while also adding utility and hanging space. The project with the tightest budgets often lead to the greatest innovation, which is one reason why Della Torre is such a highly innovative home.