Vaucluse Home Project

Architects in Vaucluse are challenged by this kind of site where the site slopes sharply to the rear.

Alterations & Additions to Single Dwelling | Trends Magazine

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Site Sloping To The Rear

This Vaucluse renovation was inspired by the desire for a fresh new look & a need for better inter-functional connection between inside & out. The original building was constructed over a steep slope site to the rear causing split levels between various zones. The functional layout was further compromised by the position of a swimming pool on a separate level, crammed by a rear/side addition. These apparent incremental additions compromised the functional layout of the dwelling and yard spaces severely. This is a typical scenario confronting designers attempting many Sydney based home designs.

Principal Design Features

Reconfiguration of exterior & interior inter-functional connections to produce unified and rational procession of zones moving through the home and down the site.Orientation of wide span windows to the north for winter solar gain,

Succession of functions on landings leading the viewer down the site is a common theme in architectural design and sometimes overlooked as a way to build on steeply sloping site .

Timber or wood composite decking and screens has an advantage over stone or ceramic with low reflectivity and better tactile surfaces around pools.

Sites that slope towards the view has an advantage as the land features and lower level roofs step down the site for unobstructed view.

Large expanse of glass facing the north and west allow norther winter sun to enter deep within the room. G;azing is high performance glass that reflects UV rays outward and reduces heat load of the sun passing into the room.

Wide span functional connection was added in to form a bi fold doors set to connect between inside and out. Dense hedging against fences provides softer limits to outside areas for s more relaxed sense of enclosure.