New South Wales
Weatherboard cottages built in the first half of the twentieth century were often generous at the front and restricted at the rear, with their relationship to prevailing breezes, appropriate orientation and gardens being a low priority. Aru House (Awabakal word for insect) plugs in a series of carefully balanced sensory amplifiers and connectors to just such a cottage in order for a long ignored sense of place to reemerge.
These sympathetic augmentations to the existing dwelling allow the building to become responsive to seasonal living patterns with a newfound sense of contextual sensitivity. All the new, and old, programs of the house overlap and borrow from each other, becoming more flexible and generous, enabling efficient planning and an ability to focus on quality over quantity. As a result, the value of the project is measured in joy and delight through the way materials are crafted, light is choreographed, and edges are blurred.
Aru House by Curious Practice cleverly reworks an existing timber cottage to display beautiful craftsmanship and inventive design.
The additions to the cottage are minimal, yet the measured adaptations significantly enhance the home’s functionality and quality of space. The architects describe these alterations as a series of carefully balanced sensory amplifiers that enable the building to respond dynamically to seasonal living patterns.
Adjustable screens and openings cleverly layer the building’s envelope, responding to seasonal variations by contracting and expanding rooms and blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Natural light and ventilation now permeate the home, extending previously inward-looking rooms to connect with the garden. The surrounding landscape, composed of native plants, creates a sanctuary for local wildlife, further enriching the home’s connection to its environment.
Aru House features contemporary interpretations of traditional suburban elements, highlighted by detailed brickwork and a selective, impactful material palette. The design masterfully stitches new adaptations into the existing structure and exemplifies the architect’s dedication to exploring new design ideas through the creation of bespoke elements.
Through its thoughtful alterations, rich material finishes and responsive design, Aru House offers a profound connection to place, celebrating both its heritage and its context.
The Hugh and Eva Buhrich Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
An exemplar project that combines a thorough understanding of context, environmental awareness, and material capability, Aru House (Awabakal word for “insect”) is a project that has carefully considered its outward contribution to context just as carefully as it has resolved its inward response to the brief to create an enlightened family home.
Using the architect’s own words of ‘reviving’, Aru House is a strategic response to create new layers that are not simply additions to an existing structure but considered augmentations to the original dwelling. An entire site response – from letterbox to back shed, landscaped area on site and view corridors beyond – enables the house to create meaningful dialogues with its neighbourhood.
A small addition to the building footprint has enabled the architects to expand the possibilities of the original house exponentially. Materials have been salvaged and repurposed where possible. Skilled detailed exercises in the craft of making have given the project a depth of character and meaning, and a true expression of care: a trait that enables the house to make a truly worthwhile contribution to contemporary architecture.
Our house has been transformed from a dark boxy abode to an open light filled home. Each space is full of special details, textures and light. We love watching the sun shine through the big open windows and watching the sky change as it goes down. The space feels closer to nature and we love being home as a family in it.
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.
