Huon River House is a project currently being designed for a couple on a beautiful rural bush block in Tasmania adjacent the Huon River. In order to do as much as possible with the project budget a simple regular structural grid has been used which determines the size of the buildings. The larger building is the main dwelling and the smaller is a self contained studio. The grid extends out from the buildings to form a perimeter verandah which will allow for a wide range of external activities. Within the regularity of the grid there will be opportunity for adaption and changes over time.
The buildings are designed with passive house principles and will require very little energy to heat, cool and ventilate. Water is harvested from the large roofs and solar panels connected to battery storage provide electricity.
year: 2023-
location: Lymington, Tasmania
traditional custodians: Melukerdee and Lyluequonny people of the south east nation
status: stage 1 complete, stage 2 expected 2025
Our 'Rejuvenation of a Beach House' project in Merricks Beach started out as simple request to add a bathrom to the main bedroom but we saw opportunities in external connections also. Views from the bathroom to the garden were seen as important. So too stronger connections between outdoor areas. Exernally, the step down from the timber deck and the rear lawn was removed through use of a hidden retaining wall and underground drainage.
Shown here are recent constuction photographs. The project is expected to be completed soon.
Year: 2023 -
Location: Merricks Beach, Victoria
Traditional custodians: Boonorong
An old office/warehouse building was transformed into a professional space for a mid-sized professional company.
Key office, greeting and meeting spaces are arranged towards the front of the building and the majority of warehouse space is converted into an open office area and staff facilties.
A darker colour palette was used in the key office areas for calmness and contemplation. A lighter colour palette is used in the larger open office area to convey lightness and spaciousness.
year: 2021-2023
location: Moorabbin, Victoria
status: built
traditional owners: Boonwurrung
JOA were engaged to assess upgrade and renovation works to an attached three bedroom dwelling in a Heritage Overlay in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Due to failing plumbing and lack of drainage control on the site, the building had significant water damage including rising damp in internal walls.
Futher to the drainage issues the small rear room of the home was remodelled which included the kitchen, laundry and second toilet. Here, windows were replaced and external walls rebuilt.
The design and works were required to be sympathetic to the heritage context and an 'only what is required' design approach was used.
Year: 2021 - 2023
Location: Preston, Victoria
Traditional custodians: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung
Often the challenge with designing duplex projects is dealing with long passage ways and having to efficiently place bathrooms, laundries, pantries and stairs so that the main living areas can get the best spots with access to daylight and outdoor spaces.
Several strategies were applied to each dwelling to break down the symmetry commonly seen in duplex homes. These included having different pedestrian access paths from the street, different window placements at first floor and having variation in the design of the front porches.
Each home is a little different which gives a sense of individuality.
year: 2022-
location: Moonee Ponds, Victoria
status: not yet built
traditional owners: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung
Sea Change House was designed for a family making the change from Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula. The home was to embrace reconnections with the natural outdoor environment and the change of pace of the coastal location.
The existing home had a couple of key issues which were addressed by the new design. There was no entry porch to the home and the previous renovation left the home with a jumble of awkwardly sized bedrooms and bathrooms.
Amongst other improvements the proposed design provided a small entry porch, better privacy to bedrooms, a generously spaced kitchen dining and living area connected to the main outdoor area, and additional main bedroom rooms connected to the main building via a storage/study passageway.
year: 2022
location: Saint Leonards
traditional custodians: Wathauong
status: unbuilt
