[ad_1]
on the coast The suburb of Torquay is located on the southern edge of the Wadawurrung countryside, with rooftops and built forms dominating the countryside. The Jan Juc House challenges this norm: its roof articulation and proportions satisfy the desire for sea views, while restraint and respect transcend the formal boundaries of the house.
While the owners loved the split-level house that previously occupied the site, preliminary investigations proved that it would be too costly to convert and improve. Bringing together thoughts on the qualities of a coastal cottage and plans for a couple retiring to the coast permanently, Eldridge Anderson Architects has developed a home that comfortably accommodates two people on the upper floor and Can comfortably be expanded to accommodate additional guests on the lower level.
The site has been repositioned with the garage on the higher ground level on the west side, allowing the habitable program to be stacked on the lower east side. This compact footprint leaves extensive landscape space around and below the sloping ground, blurring the boundaries of the corner site and allowing the house to sit comfortably within both natural and urbanized surroundings.
Upon arrival, one is immediately attracted by the simple folded roof, which appears to follow natural contours. Walking along the garage wall, visitors step onto a deck aligned with the suspended roof, creating an elevated double-height entrance that is both spacious and simple. Projections from the upper living room at the end of the deck guide visitors inward while providing a visual connection to the street.
The entrance is located on the middle floor and is part of the stairwell. Curved walls lined with rough-sawn cypress maintain connection and openness between levels, acting like a welcoming arm that gently guides visitors into the home. It leads to the sloping space on the upper floor, housing the kitchen, living and dining areas and the master bedroom.
On this main living level, Aldridge Anderson’s fundamental approach becomes clear, with the expressive roof trusses of laminated beams visible from the street. The roof is raised to the north, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the living spaces, while maintaining extensive projected views of neighboring houses to the south, to the coastal bush and ocean. The form continues into the adjacent master bedroom suite, which is accessed discretely through the living space.
The continuous length from the kitchen to the rear anchors the public space, and its low ceiling serves to define the internal areas, avoiding empty open spaces. A continuous strip of window with external sliding blackout screen provides additional light directly above the workbench.
Floor-to-ceiling windows extend the space outwards to the balcony, enhancing the spaciousness of the public areas. While its finely proportioned galvanized steel railings maximize transparency, the balcony is also designed to provide a private retreat for the couple. The combination of balconies and suspended roofs reduces the scale of the street, suggesting an elevated single-story rather than two-story volume. Inside, all elements combine to create pronounced effects of light and shadow, protected from changing weather conditions.
Like the utilitarian beach hut that inspired it, the house has a rigorous structural order and the solidity of its materials. However, subtle movements and thoughtful details enrich the experience. This is reflected not only in the warmth of the internal timber trusses, but also in the overall subtle gesture. The roof gently flips over as it becomes an exterior shelter to remove downspouts and gutters from the edge of the roof, creating a beautifully floating plane. The living space projects slightly forward, allowing the occupants to view the side street and providing shade for the lower-level windows. Subtle angles to the upper glass wall further soften the threshold from interior to exterior, creating an almost imperceptible twist towards the ocean. Carefully crafted details enhance the home’s texture and lightness, including a woven-wrapped entry handle that is reminiscent of Alvar Aalto’s humanistic details.
On the lower level, flexible multi-use leisure and guest areas are more compactly configured, yet equally generous in space and light. Curved stair walls and a centralized plan with shared circulation with multifunctional spaces provide generous entrances and light spilling into what might otherwise be secondary areas. The materials here have changed slightly: concrete floors have replaced the wood used on the upper floors, which will withstand the inevitable traces of sand. This materiality appeals to the exterior palette of precast cement panels and concrete blocks. Timber screens and windows provide natural warmth and texture on the exterior and interior, balancing solidity with warmth and texture.
Despite its suburban surroundings, the Jan Juc house maintains a strong sense of place: it is visually connected to the Wadawurrung countryside, water and sky, and is built with durable materials and restrained details befitting a coastal location. Eldridge Anderson has delivered an honest and timeless house that is refreshingly free of trends. Instead, it is well proportioned, respectful of the streetscape, and creates a balance of engagement and privacy. Not surprisingly, it’s admired around here.
[ad_2]
Source link