Location: Bronte, Australia
Area: 332 m2
Project Year: 2013
Architects: MHN Design Union
Project Architect: Sebastian Kaintoch
Design Team: Kevin NG, Sebastian Kaintoch
Landscape Architect: Peter Glass & Associates
The underlying design intent was to explore the notion of “prospect and refuge” within a contemporary family house. The “prospect” was the beach and coast views to the south of the site which change constantly depending on the season, weather and time of day. The “refuge” was the other desirable character where we created a quality of space that provides a sense of sanctuary, enclosure and comfort.
These two driving desires for the house were explored and accommodated through devising two sculpted concrete forms responding to their particular use. The forms are rounded at the edges similar to tubes which are independent of each other enabling the upper tube to twist towards the view.
The upper tube is open ended which allows the northern winter sun to penetrate deeply into the living spaces while allowing an unimpeded outlook to the southern view. The form also provides efficient passive ventilation drawing the prevailing nor’ east breeze through the house.
On the two lower levels the character of the spaces changes to places of privacy and refuge. The middle tube houses the bedrooms, each with a different aspect and outlook. The lower level has a cave like atmosphere with the room formed by a cut bedrock wall and a dark stone floor connecting the internal and external spaces. The pool provides a water element spanning between the rock wall and the garden.
The house boldly sits as a modern insertion into the typically poor building stock of its surrounding environment. The context is of varying building styles, scales and materials so the house creates a deliberate contrast in form and colour. The homogenous appearance of the house allows the forms to be emphasised by sun and shadow with the play of light continually shifting and moving with the path of the sun.
Detail elements have drawn upon surrounding natural forms for inspiration. For example, the angled bands on the front façade reference the tree branches of the native eucalypts. They also serve as a privacy screen for the dining space behind the façade.
MHN Design Union
Images courtesy of MHN Design Union
MHN Design Union
Kevin Ng
Kevin Ng studied at the University of Newcastle and graduated at the University of Technology Sydney with honours.
Kevin runs the single residential and boutique multi-unit projects portfolio in the practice and is responsible for the concept design, documentation and delivery of these projects.
His passion, enthusiasm dedication and attention to detail is fundamental to his holistic approach on all his projects. He is directly involved in all stages of his projects and continuously explores ideas and innovation to achieve the best outcomes for his clients.
Kevin’s projects have been shortlisted in the World Architectural Festival in Barcelona and Singapore and recently was shortlisted in the 2014 NSW architecture awards.
His projects have also been widely published, featuring MONUMENT, INDESIGN, HABITAT magazines as well as publications abroad in Spain, Korea, Germany, Hong Kong and the US.
Brian Meyerson
Brian has more than 25 years of architectural experience working in South Africa, the Middle East and Australia. He held senior roles in several large architectural firms including Group GSA and Denton Corker Marshall before founding his own practice BMA in 1997. BMA Architects grew to a team of 20 designers and then merged with Sydney-based JPRA Architects in 2011 to become MPR Design Group.
He has proven credentials in developing innovative design solutions for challenging sites and has built a strong reputation in inner-city Sydney, having led the design of several recent significant urban renewal projects in Green Square and Bondi Junction. More than 40 private homes in Sydney’s exclusive Eastern Suburbs have been designed by Brian.
With a passion for designing intuitively to achieve contemporary sustainable outcomes, Brian has held a long interest in ESD principles and was involved in comprehensive environmental design research projects in Israel.
He was also co-author of “History of Adobe Architecture in Palestine”.
Michael Hay
Michael has over 15 years experience in the architecture industry and has worked with the company for over 10 years. He was promoted to Director in 2008.
He has honed his design skills in residential architecture combining them with a high degree of technical and 3D expertise. His reputation for leading with new technology has led him to be appointed as manager of IT and CAD at the company.
Michael has extensive knowledge of all phases of the development process from feasibility and documentation to Council approval. His aptitude has led to a significant approval rate for developments throughout the inner and eastern suburbs of Sydney, from discrete individual dwellings through to multi-million dollar residential high-rise developments.
He has worked on many prestigious projects including the $85 million Forum Bondi at 310 – 330 Oxford Street comprising 117 apartments and 2000m2 of retail, the $12 million Signature Vaucluse Apartments at 777 Old South Head Road comprising 9 luxury apartments and Viking Apartments located at 30-36 O’Dea Street, Waterloo an $80 million development with 108 apartments.
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