The third chosen exemplar house is from Australia, called the Isaacson/Davis Beach House. Designed by John Wardle Architects it was created for clients who were searching for a beach house retreat. Located in Balnarring, Victoria it is described by John Wardle as having a quality by which the house feels as if it can be "unpacked on arrival and repacked on departure, as though the house itself reflects the joy of happily unpacking the tote bag, thrown in the back of the car for a weekend away." (Goad,1997; Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House; Australian Architecture Now, 2006; John Wardle Architects, 2006) It was this uniqueness which interested me.Specific details of the Isaacson/Davis Beach House are below.
Location: Balnarring, Victoria
Architect: John Wardle Architect Pty Ltd
Engineer: Street Moorhouse Pty Ltd
Builder: Kane Construction (Vic) Pty Ltd in association with Mal McQueen
(Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House)
1. House as an Environmental Filter:
- This design is purely developed from the landscape in which it exists.
- The home floats above the site. This is referred to as 'atavistic instinct' which is the gravity defying notion established by Architect Marcel Bruer who Wardle based numerous designs from. This floating effect provides both a visual impact for the occupant and showcases a functional relationship with the environment (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House).
- Stilts rise from the ground like the surrounding trees to support the base, leaving the ground unperturbed and therefore respect for the landscape is witnessed (Goad,1997; Australian Architecture Now, 2006).
- The choice of timber as the construction material enables the dwelling to camouflage effectively with the trees, and thus heightens the discovery experience.
- Being sited on the coastal line it is observed that light entrance, ventilation and views must be welcomed within the design. To manage these environmental factors, Wardle has included open space arrangements, wide openings and various large windows.
2. House is a container of Human Activities:
- The Isaacson/Davis Beach House is based on the 'binuclear' plan, which arranges the spaces within the home to produce particular functions (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). To conform to the privacy hierachy the living area is positioned on the ocean side of the house (front) where views are optimised and can be truly established for the occupant. A layer of services, kitchen and dining, divides the open living space from the enclosed and private areas - bedrooms and bathrooms (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). This specific arrangement allows the rooms to serve a strong purpose, by satisfying everyday human activities.
- This design is purely developed from the landscape in which it exists.
- The home floats above the site. This is referred to as 'atavistic instinct' which is the gravity defying notion established by Architect Marcel Bruer who Wardle based numerous designs from. This floating effect provides both a visual impact for the occupant and showcases a functional relationship with the environment (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House).
- Stilts rise from the ground like the surrounding trees to support the base, leaving the ground unperturbed and therefore respect for the landscape is witnessed (Goad,1997; Australian Architecture Now, 2006).
- The choice of timber as the construction material enables the dwelling to camouflage effectively with the trees, and thus heightens the discovery experience.
- Being sited on the coastal line it is observed that light entrance, ventilation and views must be welcomed within the design. To manage these environmental factors, Wardle has included open space arrangements, wide openings and various large windows.
2. House is a container of Human Activities:
- The Isaacson/Davis Beach House is based on the 'binuclear' plan, which arranges the spaces within the home to produce particular functions (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). To conform to the privacy hierachy the living area is positioned on the ocean side of the house (front) where views are optimised and can be truly established for the occupant. A layer of services, kitchen and dining, divides the open living space from the enclosed and private areas - bedrooms and bathrooms (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). This specific arrangement allows the rooms to serve a strong purpose, by satisfying everyday human activities.
3. House is a Delight:
- Similar to the two other exemplars the Isaacson/Davis Beach House begins its delightful experience through the approach to the site. Hidden within a forest of trees the box shaped building increases the emotion of discovery, when one exexpectably stumbles upon this piece of modern architecture (Australian Architecture Now, 2000).
- But such a basic design can have a powerful impact visually.
- A particular aspect of the house is the external skin. Unlike most designs the external shell is two layered. Due to weathering the outer layer will become grey-white in colour whilst the inner layer reveals an oiled appearance of warmth and factility. This detail is a very high level and the utilisation of quality timber materials heightens the experience of the inhabitant.
- Similar to the two other exemplars the Isaacson/Davis Beach House begins its delightful experience through the approach to the site. Hidden within a forest of trees the box shaped building increases the emotion of discovery, when one exexpectably stumbles upon this piece of modern architecture (Australian Architecture Now, 2000).
- But such a basic design can have a powerful impact visually.
- A particular aspect of the house is the external skin. Unlike most designs the external shell is two layered. Due to weathering the outer layer will become grey-white in colour whilst the inner layer reveals an oiled appearance of warmth and factility. This detail is a very high level and the utilisation of quality timber materials heightens the experience of the inhabitant.
Compared to the other exemplars the Isaacson/Davis Beach House is quite boring. Not taking anything away from the work of John Wardle, but this design for me lacks the intent and enthusiam which the others exposed so evidently. Although satisfying the analytical features the overall home does not capture my belief of what is modernised architecture.
References:
Goad, P. 1997, ‘Beach House’, Architectural Review Australia, Summer, pp 40-47
Ferguson, S. Isaacson/Davis Beach House.
URL: http://www.timber.org.au/NTEP/Resources/17s.pdf (Accessed on 6th March 2010)
Isaacson/Davis Beach House.
URL: http://www.timberbuilding.arch.utas.edu.au/projects/aus/459/ (Accessed on 6th March 2010)
Australian Architecture Now. Ginko Press 2000
John Wardle Architects. Balnarring Beach House. 2006
URL: http://www.johnwardle.com/projects/default.htm?i_PageNo=1&ProjectId=16&pageNo=1&ProjectCategoryId=3&ProjectKindId=0&Featured=0&Archived=0&AllProjects=0&ViewMode=text (Accessed on 6th March 2010)
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