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Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice engaged in projects large and small, with a particular interest in housing and projects that nurture community.

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Albury House is a compact home for all seasons and moods, one that can open up or shut down according to weather or the inhabitant's wish for being more in or out-side. An environmentally responsive building envelope it incorporates flyscreens, louvres, perforated cement sheet screens and sliding glass walls to adapt to the extremes of Albury's climatic variation.

Adjusted to the slope of the land, the house is arranged along two terraces, an upper and lower one, which organise functions and differentiate between a warmer north side and a cooler south side. The stepped floor in combination with the roof angle create living spaces that are shady in summer, sun-filled in winter and completed by views south towards Huon Hill.

The parti of the house is formed by a cluster of concrete brick 'pods' which establish view-lines and contrasting qualities of space. Some areas are more discrete, closed and snug, with timber lined spaces inside them and in the residual spaces between and around the 'pods' its more expansive, with open areas that function like breezeways and celebrate the delight of masonry's mass and texture.

In keeping with the clients' wishes, the house, at 179m2, is relatively modest in size (for an Australian one) and rural in sensibility. The material palette is robust and direct - concrete slab, concrete bricks, cement sheet and ply for interior linings and joinery.

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Albury House is a compact home for all seasons and moods, one that can open up or shut down according to weather or the inhabitant's wish for being more in or out-side. An environmentally responsive building envelope it incorporates flyscreens, louvres, perforated cement sheet screens and sliding glass walls to adapt to the extremes of Albury's climatic variation.

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Located on the site of the old shearing shed that was destroyed by fire. The residence houses shearers, and family and friends on annual tree planting weekends and retreats.

The plan form transforms along its length to shift the profile of a slender skillion at the western end to a broad gable at the east. The geometry of this shift is carried through to the layout of internal walls, lining boards and window frames.

A singular palette of materials is used with corrugated galvanised iron to the exterior, and timber internally. Inside is a large open living/dining/kitchen area, bathroom and laundry, two bedrooms and a bunkroom.

The primary internal lining is Pinus Macrocarpa sourced from many different suppliers principally as individual trees from old rural windbreaks.

The bedrooms are lined in recycled apple box crates, sourced from the many old orchards of the Huon Valley where the timber remained stacked but unused since the late 1960s.

Traditional Custodians of the land The Nuenonne people

Location Bruny Island, Tasmania

Procurement Private Commission

Project Duration 2008 - 2011

Floor Area 136 sqm

Site Area 440 ha

Selected Awards

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture, AIA National Architecture Awards 2012

James Blackburn Triennial Prize for Residential Architecture, AIA Tasmania 2015

Esmond Dorney Award for Residential Architecture, AIA Tasmania 2012

Colorbond® Award for Steel Architecture, AIA Tasmania 2012

In many ways this project represents a return to the Australian vernacular - it is inherently more sustainable than many contemporary forms of construction. Nestled low along a gulley where it is sheltered from prevailing winds, the building is constructed primarily from timber. The energy embodied in the fabric of the building is minimised. Heated by a wood fire and naturally ventilated by openable vents and louvers allow for controlled cross ventilation during summer. Double glazing and high performing insulation to floors, walls and ceiling, reduce heat loss during the winter months. All rainwater is collected and used for drinking, toilets and showers. All waste water is treated on-site and used to irrigate a small native plantation. Water is solar heated, and there is a wood heater to respond to year round occupation.

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Shearers Quarters | John Wardle Architects

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Located on the site of the old shearing shed that was destroyed by fire. The residence houses shearers, and family and friends on annual tree planting weekends and retreats. The plan form transforms along its length to shift the profile of a slender skillion at the western end to a broad gable at the east.

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2009 AIA VIC Chapter Architecture Award 2009 AIA National Architecture Award Zac's House is one of three weekenders built within a 'family compound' set in a beautiful undulating garden on the Mornington Peninsula. The single storey dwelling is positioned against the rear and side boundaries, behind the family tennis court, and is almost imperceptible to its neighbours.

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2016 Winner -- Residential Architecture Award, Victorian Architecture Awards 2016 for THAT House In a Nutshell The site is neighboured by huge houses. We were asked to provide the family with 'just the right amount of space'. By creating large openings and generous connections t

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can i ask the reason behind the skillion roof at the western end and a gable at the east, 

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can i ask the reason behind the skillion roof at the western end and a gable at the east, 

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is that because the verandah protects from the sun? reema

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Long House by Clare Cousins - Project Feature - The Local Project

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Maximising its northern exposure, Long House sprawls length-ways along its abundant encompassing landscape and deliberately connects the built with the natural. Clare Cousins Architects has imagined a home that both sustainably performs and combines refinement and sensitivity within its contemporary comprising parts.

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Albury House_179m2 (modest in size)

Site Context:

The site is on the slope of land

Locate along 2 terraces (one upper and lower

Materials:

Concrete slab, concrete bricks, cement sheet, and ply for interior linings and joinery

Material using: Concrete brick pods that separate between public, private, and semi public/private

Performances:

Adapt throughout the seasons

Responsive building to the surrounding/ environmentally through flexible features such as incorporate flyscreens, louvres, perforated cement sheet screens, and sliding glass wall.

The site is on the slope of land,  locate along 2 terraces (one upper and lower) therefore the piece be able to successfully achieve great ventilation air (hot and cold hair) from North and South Side.

Design Context

Contrast with the concrete brick from the outside, the private space from the inside are cladded with timber line spaces running inside

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(Ilya) Albury House has a design that can adapt to the huge variations in climate. it also has a very modest design with muted colours and lots of concrete 

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(Ilya) Albury House has a design that can adapt to the huge variations in climate. it also has a very modest design with muted colours and lots of concrete 

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"a home that is almost half the size of its neighbours without compromising liveability." They have done a good job in terms of the size 

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"a home that is almost half the size of its neighbours without compromising liveability." They have done a good job in terms of the size 

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(Bel)

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- International Style brought to Adelaide
- Rational box that floats over glass glazed living areas.
- Inexpensive
- Glazed Glass front allows the sunrise natural light in
- Boxed and Contained living spaces

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''Keen to open up to the community rather then permanently hiding or fortifying themselves.'' 

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''Keen to open up to the community rather then permanently hiding or fortifying themselves.'' 

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(Toby)

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The design of the house allows for any level of privacy or connections between people and spaces. 

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The design of the house allows for any level of privacy or connections between people and spaces. 

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(rheydyn)

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A contemporary rural house that coalesce's with its surroundings. Jayde

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A contemporary rural house that coalesce's with its surroundings. Jayde

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(Connor K) An unobtrusive and compact design adaptive to the extreme climates of the landscape. 

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(Connor K) An unobtrusive and compact design adaptive to the extreme climates of the landscape. 

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https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/houses/albury-house-kerstin-thompson-architects#

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house is organized in a series of stepped platforms, stepping down from entry to master

-Brett

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The Long House used sustainable materials to mimick its natural surroundings
(felix)

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In Melbourne's leafy eastern suburb of Blackburn, Clare Cousins Architects has designed a remarkable home that speaks to the beauty of its natural surrounds while also touching the environment as lightly as possible.

Overlooking a creek, this unique block is tucked away in a quiet pocket of Blackburn, shielded from the busyness of the greater suburb by an atmosphere of country-style living. Upon arrival at the property, "you feel instantly like you're miles away", comments Clare Cousins of Clare Cousins Architects.

Given the extraordinary nature of the location, client Oanh Harding and her family were looking for an architectural response that would be timeless and unique to the site, clever in spatial planning while also supporting their vision for a comfortable and sustainable family home. "With a modest budget and size, we needed communal spaces to work hard and multi-task without compromise," says Oanh.

The overarching concept was a north-west oriented block, with the front of the house facing the west. The site itself is fairly steep, the topography falling to the back of the block. "For us the natural progression was a long, linear, extruded form. We really wanted it to step with the topography and sit quite lightly with the landscape," comments Clare.

Inside, Clare has played with spatial efficiencies. To the back of the house are the bedrooms which line the long, north-facing corridor and spill out into the hallway and the garden beyond. To the front of the house - the main entry point, is the kitchen/dining zone, tucked smartly beneath a mezzanine level. The kitchen is neatly sandwiched between dining and living, connected by a "luxuriously generous" 8.6-metre-long bench. "This spans along the back wall from the dining area to the kitchen, providing traditional kitchen storage as well as homework space," notes Oanh.

Sustainable living is core to Oanh and her family's home life. From an architectural perspective it called for a timeless design and clever spatial planning; day-to-day, it came down to the appliances used in those essential living zones of kitchen and laundry.

"V-ZUG had the strongest sustainable credentials by far, which aligned for us," says Oanh. "V-ZUG just ticked all the boxes for us; they were quiet and understated but the results seemed outstanding in both form and function." On top of this, the appliances are electric rather than gas-run, allowing Oanh and family to 'green power' their kitchen using solar rays.

The compact V-ZUG combi steam oven is the "beloved workhorse" of the kitchen and, aesthetically, fits well with the scheme of teal-green joinery (influenced by Eucalypt tones), and granite bench tops - selected for their lovely stone-like quality. The induction cooktop, too, integrates seamlessly, flush-mounted into the benchtop. The perfect integration of architecture and appliance.

Together these communal living spaces create a sense of family retreat, with the kitchen dwelling at their very centre. "The house is like a getaway, allowing us to get through the daily grind in the most beautiful and warm spaces," says Oanh. "As our home, it allows us to connect with each other and the natural environment in the most privileged way."

Taking this one step further, Oanh and family have also fit out their laundry zone with V-ZUG, whose laundry appliances are the most energy-efficient on the market thanks to an innovative heat pump feature. A full-circle approach to living comfortably and in the most sustainable manner possible. As Oanh comments: "This is our forever home and we couldn't be happier with the fundamental choices we have made."
Clare Cousins Architects
Photography by Tess Kelly We think you might also like Ruskin Elwood by Fieldwork Architects and HIP V. HYPE clarecousins.com.au
Tags: Alice Blackwood, Clare Cousins, sustainable house design, Vzug

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Clare Cousins Architects Long House Has A Light Touch | Habitus Living

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In Melbourne's leafy eastern suburb of Blackburn, Clare Cousins Architects has designed a remarkable home that speaks to the beauty of its natural surrounds while also touching the environment as lightly as possible. Overlooking a creek, this unique block is tucked away in a quiet pocket of Blackburn, shielded from the busyness of the greater suburb by an atmosphere of country-style living.

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exterior made of concrete bricks which also feature in the interior. Cement allows for more of a natural climate process which is able to sustain temperatures throughout the house. (Luke)

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exterior made of concrete bricks which also feature in the interior. Cement allows for more of a natural climate process which is able to sustain temperatures throughout the house. (Luke)

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im just looking at the plan of the house. can you explain it as i cant seem to relate it to the design of the house? MILAD 

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im just looking at the plan of the house. can you explain it as i cant seem to relate it to the design of the house? MILAD 

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The applewood interior gives a sense warmth.

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The design works well as a smaller addition to a larger dwelling on the same block

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The design works well as a smaller addition to a larger dwelling on the same block

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house is at the back of the block with no lot alignment, meaning its close to
boundaries

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keeps residents engaged while maintaining privacy for all. (paula)

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- An art deco type style.
- A footprint of approx. 160sqm.
- Surrounded by dense foliage that assists in creating a sense of privacy and mystery.
- Very compact.
- The internal spaces decline with the landscape as does the roof.
- The platforms with varying ceiling heights create a sense of privacy as well as assisting in distinguishing the different parts of the dwelling.
- North-South alignment allows for cross ventilation.
- The zoning of the dwelling is in an East-West alignment, going from private to public.
- Daylight, ventilation, outlook and privacy have all been considered.
- Located on the Mornington Peninsula, the singularity of the central space creates a communal feeling tying it back to the beach house theme.
- Tactile and robust materiality, concrete floors, face block walls that are left unpainted and exposed rafters.

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roof line follows the ground and runs almost parallel to the ground

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the use of recycled apple box crates as panelling is on point and pays homage to the apple isle

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https://www.australiandesignreview.com/architecture/zacs-house/

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"THAT House is ostensibly open, however the arrangement of spaces allows the owners to be together, or secluded, or any level of engagement in between"
(gabe)

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Albury House for Suzanne
Albury House is a compact home for all seasons and moods, one that can open up or shut down according to weather or the inhabitant’s wish for being more in or out-side

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Albury house can adapt to the weather and allows occupants to be more in or out-side. Sliding glass walls and perforated cement sheets are a great way to adapt to different types of climate. (Connor C)

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There are different levels of intimacy throughout the home  to define space and allow purpose to be embedded. 

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There are different levels of intimacy throughout the home  to define space and allow purpose to be embedded. 

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katerina

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Simple yet modern timber home

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Made from non-combustible materials, GB Masonry blocks are fire resistant, making them the ideal building material for bushfire prone areas. Suzanne

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Made from non-combustible materials, GB Masonry blocks are fire resistant, making them the ideal building material for bushfire prone areas. Suzanne

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gives a good view of how not only the master is blocked off but the whole lower level is blocked off and privet to the rest of the house