Inside Outside House

The Inside Outside house embodies sustainable design principles resulting in built forms that achieve optimum passive design with considerations to prevailing winds and solar access. The upper level, a cantilevering box form in essences acts as a large shading device to reduce solar gain to the lower level. The lower living in turn is treated as an expansive inside to outside space that is pleasant to occupy. In the extremes of summer and colder winter months, the lower level can be enclosed by a double glazed, thermally-broken skin which regulates temperature and minimises reliance on mechanical air-conditioning. Products and systems were specified with a built to last approach. Painted areas were minimised through the use of prefinished cladding (raw cement sheeting, face brickwork) and use low VOC paints, while cabinetry is constructed from GreenTagCert boards. Low energy LED lighting on sensor systems have been used throughout.

• Design philosophy challenges fixed boundaries of space; blurring distinction of interior to exterior spaces.
• Philosophy extends to overlapping spatial functions; multiple space uses.
• Separating building mass from adjoining structures to offer occupants greater comfort and privacy.

Primary streetscape set back by 6-metres with public domain xeriscape garden; a soft, green transition from the wide grass verge into the front courtyard. A feature brick fence with gridded holes balances privacy by obscuring views into the home, while at the same time providing a visual connection with the streetscape.

• To maximise the expanse of a narrow-lot home, the concept considers the entire site as a ‘room’; the ceiling of the lower level is relatively low to force a feeling of horizontal expanse, emphasising the boundary walls as the extent of the house.
• The upper level is expressed as a cantilevered box which projects beyond the main bedroom to provide an alfresco experience to the front courtyard. This projected structure frames the upper level outlook towards the Norfolk pines of Cottesloe.
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• Situating the living spaces on the ground floor with large expanses of retractable glass allow the spaces to increase in size, gain natural light and feel airy.
• Spatial functions overlap to use space effectively; study and laundry are incorporated into passageways; additional storage has been detailed and incorporated alongside and to the underside of the stairs; bi-fold doors allow flexible division of space where required.

• Liaison with landscape architect regarding provision of adequate planting depth along boundaries to ensure concept of boundary as ‘green walls’. Plant species and landscape that add to the public amenity of the streetscape, and inner courtyards
• Liaison with structural engineer to achieve a large front cantilever that frames specific outlooks from the main bedroom, and encapsulates an outdoor alfresco
• Speciality detailing with window fabricator for retractable glazed walls into cavities containing other services
• Coordinated detailing of Equitone cladding to ensure expressed joints and junctions allow for seamless transition from vertical walls to internal ceilings.

• Clients were presented with options in materials and systems, including advantage and disadvantages for the lifespan of the product.
• Cost effectiveness was weighted against the intrinsic value of selected materials and system to both the concept and clients preference.
• Project on budget.

• Spaces expand and divide to accomodate visiting family
• Lower level walls are positioned/sized to accomodate growing art collection
• Generous setbacks offer visual/physical separation and alleviate the built-up massing of the neighbourhood.

They had CSA over for dinner when they were settled into the house, and we had a lovely exchange at the dinner table to say that they could not bring themselves to build another house again, because this one was so perfect.