Victoria
This house at 27 Adelaide Street was imagined as an occupied ruin, allowing it to parallel and frame the internal life and graceful aging of a young family in place.
The house is expressed externally as a series of concrete forms aligning with the proportions and scale of the street, and is broken by lightweight infill that expresses its internal occupation, together achieving a balanced composition of solidity and transparency.
The concrete continues internally, framing views that are orientated inwards between spaces and onto the central courtyard which is used to bring northern light deep into the linear plan, moderate the scale of the building from the surrounding context, and minimise reliance on outward openings that reduces overlooking and solar heat gain. High-level windows at the upper storey gesture to the sky, further reducing views outward in favour of upward.
Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The suburban home is transformed into a series of thoughtfully composed concrete volumes. This project holds a distinct architectural language as each design move is strategically made with intent and careful consideration.
Voids, openings, and views through layered spaces come to define the project, with natural light consciously sculpting the interiors. The distinction between form and space produces a sophisticated outcome, where each space is as delightful as the next.
“We are a large family of 6. Our daily rhythm is noisy and active, there is always something going on. With four children in primary school our home can’t be fragile as we don’t have kid gloves. Cooking, eating and entertaining are important to us and the building has been designed to cater for the extended family gatherings that are a regular occurrence.
While having the necessary robustness, warmth and life our family requires, Robert has crafted delicate personal spaces throughout the home that enable peaceful retreat. These elements balance the building, and help us keep balance in our lives.”
Robert Simeoni, Design Architect
Erin Watson, Documentation
John Watson, Documentation
Kon Katsieras, Documentation
Bonacci Group, Engineer
Lucid Consulting Australia, Services Consultant
Wilsmore Nelson McDermott Pty Ldt, Building Surveyor
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
