Project description
The site, with falls of 1:4 on the lower hillsides of Mt Coot-tha, presented challenging design constraints. The steep site faces south, an unfavourable aspect open to winds in winter and hot afternoon sun from the south-west in summer. With access only from the street below, and good views of the distant ranges only from the top of the site, the design was inevitably to involve vertical circulation.
Project intentions
To maximise the qualities of Brisbane's subtropical climate and to use the steep land, the slope was terraced to form six levels. The earthworks also allowed installation of a large underground water tank. Retaining walls of coloured concrete block terminate at the boundary in planters to further integrate the house with the landform.
The formal and highly structured plan contrasts with the more rambling quality of its form. The principal rooms are semi-independent pavilions placed on the terraces, linked though the roof and by two staircases.
The interspersed courtyards have varying degrees of enclosure and allow cross-ventilation to all rooms. Each courtyard has its own qualities and can extend the useable area of the adjacent interior room. Timber trelliswork for climbing plants forms additional enclosure and gives shade to the southern courtyard.
The two staircases run parallel from the entry court to the courtyard associated with the 'great room'. This room is given prominence on the exterior by its height and contrasting roof form. The other rooms of the house lie under a skillion roof stretched and folded down the slope of the hill. The roof reaches out to include the garage as part of the house and give a sense of firmer enclosure to the south courtyard.
The roof is corrugated galvanised iron sheets, and the timber-frame walls are clad in tallowwood.
RUMAH MINIMALIS
