Clarke

Inspired by a year spent in Japan, the family sought deliberate, purposeful, and tranquil spaces that encourage both social connection and peaceful solitude.

The facade of the home makes extensive use of hardwood timber battens, which were designed to unify the original home with its contemporary extension. The battens’ orientation echoes the pitched roofline of the existing cottage, creating visual continuity and a cohesive architectural identity. The batten screen also enhances privacy, shading, and environmental control—effectively mitigating solar gain in summer while allowing beneficial sunlight during winter months. The system also conceals practical elements such as storage spaces and mechanical services, further exemplifying the project’s holistic design approach.

The project carefully preserves and enhances much of the original house, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Structural improvements such as re-stumping, re-plastering, new flooring, thermal insulation, and upgraded double-glazed windows drastically improve thermal performance. The home is fossil-fuel-free, entirely electric-powered, featuring a 6.6KW rooftop solar array, provisions for battery storage, and an electric vehicle charging station. Electric heat pump systems efficiently deliver hot water and hydronic heating through coils embedded within concrete flooring on the ground level and panels installed upstairs, promoting thermal comfort without fossil fuels.

The owner’s brief detailed two major objectives – functionality and space to harmoniously co-exist. “Alone Together” was the prevailing theme. They asked for intimate retreats and areas spacious enough to accommodate large family gatherings. The indoors and outdoors would seamlessly merge. They wanted a highly practical and socially active living/kitchen/dining, with a laundry, a pantry, a dedicated home office and a second study / guest bedroom. With recent studies showing around fifty percent of 18 to 29 year olds still living at home, they hoped to provide their teenagers with their own ‘apartment’ – or at least the feeling of one.

Double fronted homes like these typically have a central hallway ‘spine’, running front to back, with rooms on each side. The owners didn’t want to lose the joy of seeing garden from the entry. More than just protect the visual flow front front to back, the design of Clarke expands on the theme, creating views of garden from a multitude of angles. Lightwell pocket gardens are implemented strategically within the layout, bringing definition, greenery, natural light and air flow to the internal spaces – minimising the need for air conditioning.

Excerpts from AustinMaynard & Archelo

Architect

Austin Maynard Architects

Builder
CBD Contracting

Landscape Architect
McNuttNDorff Landscapes

Photographers
Derek Swalwell

Completion date
January 2025