Victoria
Deliberately recessed, hidden from sight, avoiding another above-ground building mass. It becomes part of the garden, a hidden treasure.
As you approach you glean nothing more than a protected vehicle store. But when you enter the glass-enclosed art store it becomes a grotto, bound by the trees outside and the grassed paddocks descending to the Cardinia Reservoir and the southwestern edge of the Dandenong forest. No development in sight.
The X-shaped columns are like the fingers of a hand holding up the heavy earthen roof. You don’t feel the weight above—it’s like a waiter holding a dish above their head while walking amongst patrons—it appears suspended as if by magic.
A delicate tracery of steel spears the glass, suspended as if too is weightless.
All that is seen is the landscaped upper terrace, punctuated only by light funnels—we call them the snorkels—hinting of another space beneath.
This is a deceptively simple building that needed to complement the house. This was achieved by sinking it below the landscape. It is inconspicuous, but it enhances the house behind with its clear lines and complementary curves. Viewed from inside the house, it flows as part of the landscape.
There is a comfort and ease, and practicality, which comes from its solidity and deep grounding in the landscape. From within, you are deep within the trees but also look upon them.
Kristin Green, Design Architect
Kristin Green, Project Architect
Paul Thompson, Landscape and Plant Consultant
Tony Green, Senior Consultant
Artistree Tree Care Pty Ltd., Tree Consultant
BDC Building Design Compliance Pty Ltd, Building Surveyor
Bluebottle, Lighting Consultant
Kinetic Sets, Metal Consultant
Paul Thompson- Plant Design Pty Ltd, Landscape Consultant
Quatrefoil Consulting Pty Ltd, Structural and Civil Engineer
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.
