Located on a former farmland site in Balwyn, the Kenny Street House is a unique project in that the plot is a relatively large, flat site surrounded by much smaller houses in the middle of suburban Melbourne.
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The new house makes reference to its agricultural origins via its barn-like external form and its location towards the centre of the site, similar to the location of the original homestead.
It is also pays homage to the rugged lifestyle of the original occupiers of the land with its dramatic stone entry. .
The client's brief to Chan Architecture was for a light-filled family home that allowed all four members of the family to interact in the one main living space.
They also wanted the home to offer various opportunities for space to allow for activities within a more private confinement.
There was a strong emphasis on sustainability in that the house had to be comfortable all year, with very low energy use, and to encompass passive solar principles.
The architect started by zoning the main, double height living/dining/kitchen areas on the north side. This allowed access to the most natural light while the bedrooms, bathrooms and utility rooms were placed to the south.
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The double height living areas created a sense of space and volume in the rooms where family gatherings and entertaining take place. This design feature also allowed for a visual connection with the upstairs mezzanine retreat which is accessible from the bedrooms located on the first floor.
Externally, the materials selected are durable and robust. The home is metal cladded with drystone stacked walls which transition to warmer textures and curved forms internally.
This was done via curved timber wall cladding on the ground floor mirrored by curved timber battens on the first floor. These are offset by the subtle textures of the polished slab and off-form concrete.
This house also incorporated a number of sustainability principles at the core of its design.
The pitch of the large north facing roof allowed for a large number of solar panels so that the house could run effectively off-grid. The roof then continued as an eave to the north of the living room, at the ideal overhang, to prevent direct sun in the summer, but allow solar access in the winter.
An exposed concrete slab to the living and dining room provided thermal mass to absorb the winter sun and gently radiate it into the space throughout the day.
In addition to this the skylights near the roof ridge can be opened, and with the ceiling fans, allow hot air to flush out of the house during the peak of summer and allow natural light into the deeper parts of the house.
The result is a family home that finds the balance between form and function. While it makes a strong architectural statement, it is also very comfortable for the family to live in and meets all of their daily living needs.
- Produced with BowerBird
- Builder - Kleev Homes