Project Overview

An oasis of Oriental calm in a classic suburb of Melbourne.

Inspired by ancient Hutong architecture of the owner’s childhood in Beijing, the design balances the privacy and serenity of inner courtyards with the ease of contemporary Australian indoor-outdoor living. Embracing minimalist lines of China Modern, the fusion form is designed with absolute respect for the neighbourhood and dedication to the owners’ lifestyle. Capturing China Modern in a discrete manner which does not disrupt the neighbourhood surrounds of Victorian and Edwardian Camberwell. This is consistent with Chinese architectural philosophy itself, whereby walls and courtyards provide for surprising private spaces and inner sanctums, tucked away in from the outside in complete harmony.

Project Commissioner

Private

Project Creator

Haluk Aysu A&D Studio

Team

Haluk Aysu (Architectural design+Interior design)
Morden O'Hara (Draftsman)

Project Brief

The phases of this project were:

Researching the most authentic codes of the tradition as briefed by the client.
Find out ways to decode its principles of form, space, ornament, imagery and symbolism.
Examine the owners' lifestyle, customs, habits, trends and tastes.
Design and contemplate the forms and functions for both exterior and interior, until they have become internalised.
Transform them and give the spirit to rejuvenate the old artefacts embodying new life into a contemporary style.

The outcome:

Like the owners, the result is a cultural fusion.
Spaces consist of well lightened, tall ceilings and windows in social spaces. On the contrary, the private zone has minimal contact with the external life, focusing into the inner courtyard's secluded lifestyle.
The home consists of two stories with a small basement floor. Functions determined separately as;
Social (foyer, living, in & outside dining, entertainment, library),
Services (garage, basement, laundry, cloakroom, powder rooms, linens) and Privacy areas (main bedroom, guest bedrooms, bathrooms, change room, ensuite, office) with an indoor pool and an open internal courtyard.

Project Innovation/Need

The core idea of this project is "Multiculturalism in Architecture", how it could be stimulated and how it can revitalise architectural trends in general. It is claiming to be a part of a mission representing a diverse design style amongst the dominant mainstream architectural mindset.

Understanding the cultures that live with us, but having roots going historically or geographically distant, begins with grasping and internalising their architecture. The reflection of this cultural diversity onto the city scale also determines the era of multiculturalism in the urban memory.

The only buildings within the scope of cultural diversity in our cities are mostly religious or commercial buildings such as ethnic restaurants, cultural centres, etc. The current cultural myth impose on us is predominantly "universal"; cultureless, styleless architecture. The global industrialisation and capitalism has fiercely diminished the architecture fed from cultural background.

Cultural heritage in a multicultural society, like Australia, belongs to all of us. The representation of this architectural multiculturalism in our physical environment is the responsibility of the architect.

Melbourne's exceptional ethnic demographic structure should start to be enriched with blended cultural buildings that reflect our unique mix.

Design Challenge

The starting point of the architect's designing process is the client's profile and preferences. The focal point should be the happiness of the owner at the end of this process.

The main issue is always; whether designing a building is for "the architect" or for "the client".

It is "the client" in this project. So the main challenge was involvement of them in all stages of the design. It needs time, patience and determination.

Another potential risk is the quality of the builder as this is a very private residence with multiple custom designed pieces and details including many artefacts and old wooden screens from the owners' collection. These pieces had been waiting for their permanent home for many years and had to be incorporated in design.

Both external and internal elements of the house consist of special details. As it was not possible to find these locally, they needed to be supplied from abroad such as polyurethane timber beams, hutong grey brick tiles, Chinese modern lantern lighting fixtures etc.

Sustainability

The components of sustainability as social, environmental and economic aspects, mostly do not conflict with the end users benefits, if properly introduced.

Continuous foam under the ground slab for insulation. The investment will be returned in just a few years.
In wall - a layer of rock wool insulation.
Outwall - extruded 100mm polystyrene layer.
Infloor and roof -packed with rock wool.

External windows, doors and glass roof - double glazed.
Solar Energy supply for underfloor hydronic heating system with 30 evacuated tube solar panel. A total of 315L. capacity.
Separate 60sqm solar panel on the roof for indoor pool heating.
Recycled rain water usage for toilettes, laundry, garden, and ponds, stored into three underground tanks having the capacity of 35.000L.
Long eaves all around the roof blocking the vertical summer light and letting in winter light.
Cedar slatted bi folds – venetian blind screens for the entire west façade with anemometer that automatically closes them under high wind conditions.

Architecture - Residential - Constructed

This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. 

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