Andrew Maynard Architects
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Project Description
The Barrow extension appears as an arrangement of timber boxes, each independently rotated and subjected to varying amounts of extruding and manipulating forces. These separate actions result in a variety of shapes, which united, create an interior of differing volumes and organizations, providing an interesting double story addition to this weatherboard house.
Photo © Peter Bennetts The extension challenges the traditional nature of timber construction. Normally light- weight and fragile, added wall thickness to different areas results in a structure with a fluctuating sense of mass. The dynamic and varying nature of these environments is further enhanced by differing window arrangements and framing techniques. Frequently the windows are setback within the frame of the wall, sometimes flush and occasionally extruding beyond the timber frame.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Photo © Peter Bennetts
This unconventional approach to massing and window design subverts the conservative planar nature of a 'box'. The movement of the shadows created by these extruding or intruding elements are tracked on the external facade and internal environment, creat- ing varying patterns and giving the extension an undefined geometry.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Photo © Peter Bennetts
The external timber cladding wraps itself inside and fuses the extension into the original house, where the old living space now is occupied as a bathroom. Here, there is no evi- dence of conventional bathroom materiality, the room still maintaining its appearance as a living/dining space. The only defining feature a free standing cast iron bath (re- used from the original demolished bathroom) at the centre of the room, demonstrating the capability of a single element to alter the program of a space.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Photo © Peter Bennetts
The strategic placement of a separate living space at the western end of the site, re- flects the focus of the site internally, frames the large open area & increases privacy levels.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Both this new addition and the extension to the old part of the house, at the western end of the site, openly embrace this central garden space. Definition between indoor and outdoor is blurred by the transparent divisions of bifold doors and large windows; visual interaction is constant. This central outdoor spaces becomes part of the living cir- culation space as the diurnal patterns of the occupants see them traverse the yard to the rear living quarters.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Photo © Peter Bennetts
The brighter, larger extension nurtures the dynamic, more numerous, day time activities, whilst the low key, more relaxed, activities of the afternoon are enjoyed in the sunroom at the western end of the site reflecting back on the outdoor yard and pool, watching the cinematic shadows play across the irregular face of the Barrow's extension.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
Photo © Peter Bennetts
The extensive openable window and bifold door arrangement accompanied by Barrow's orientation allows for abundant natural light and ventilation to infiltrate the spaces, de- creasing reliance on electrical and heating/cooling systems.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
The entirety of the design also employs materials reused from the parts of the previous house as well as recycled or found elements, decreasing the carbon footprint of the de- sign and also adding character to the spaces.
Photo © Peter Bennetts
ground floor plan--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects 
first floor plan--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects
west elevation--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects
openings diagram--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects
sun diagram--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard Architects
volumes diagram--drawing courtesy of Andrew Maynard ArchitectsThe people
Architects: Andrew Maynard Architects
Location: Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia
AMA Team: Mark Austin
Project year: 2008
Builder: Clynton Banner
Landscape: Glashaus nursery and design
Builder: Clynton Banner
Budget: $500,000
Photographs: Peter Bennetts
Barrow House images / information from Andrew Maynard Architects
via:e-architect
