Project: Peninsula House
Location: Victoria
Date: 2000-02
Purpose of Building
Split level single bedroom residence.
Composition & Spatial Organization
The building is entrenched deep within its landscape, the outer shell of the building, swathed in a continuous treated timber screen that provides a break between the earthly mass that then opens up onto the open plan sanctuary below.
The upper ground level provides the building a main access through a covered carport. From here one passes through a divide in the building into a covered court yard to a side that door which feeds into a slender hallway. From here one can now enter the bedroom & ensuite or continue down the narrow hallway & staircase to the lower ground level, into an open plan living, dining & kitchen area. The bedroom above cantilevers over the kitchen and what is the assumed dining area; the cantilever providing a natural break between the dining and living area which is a double height space with full height glazed walls to the opposing walls. The end wall then opens as one tilt panel onto a veranda beyond. If one was to continue past the kitchen to the opposite end of the lower ground floor, one passes a discreetly positioned laundry into a private library.
The Building Structure
Fixed treated timber screens are fastened to s steel portal frame, with and operable section of screen that allows access to the external court yard. The inner living space is divided between full height glazed walls and masonry construction that provides waterproof apron within the sub terrain portions of the building. Lightweight construction is used elsewhere; most of which is complemented by a glass roof.
Building Materials and How They Contribute to Purpose & Structure
The building has a very linear form that looks almost solid in nature when observe form certain angles. However, the building on the whole with its slatted timber screens, expanses of glass and glass roof give the building an almost transparent fragility that allows the building to bleed into the surrounding environment. The buildings impact on its environment with its stained timber, oxidized metal cladding is diminutive and yet the visual aesthic of the built form is profuse.
The Building Style
There is much in the way of Japanese influence in the design itself. Sean Godsell concedes himself “Similarities between the enclosed veranda of the traditional Japanese house”1. The building is also influenced by the European/Australian ideals behind ‘sunrooms’ and is executed with maximum effect; the marrying of styles, seamless.
Construction Detailing
The level of detailing is high and very clean throughout, this is a clear reflection on the limited palette of materials used.
The Buildings relationship With Other Works by Sean Godsell
One is able ascertain clear similarities between Sean Godsell previous and subsequent works. In particular St Andrews Beach House which is clad in using steel rather than timber. The principles are somewhat the same, the idea of an out shell with exposed structural steel portal frame which is then followed by an inner sanctum of glass. The internal living amenity bores similarities also: the design is very much open plan and incorporates long slender corridors.
1. Sean Godsell UME 18 (2004)
Photographs courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
