Freshwater House / Chenchow Little

Apr 2010

Uploaded by Nico Saieh — Filed under: Houses ,Selected , Australia, Chenchow Little, Steel

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Architects: Chenchow Little
Location: Sydney, Australia
Project Team: Tony Chenchow, Stephanie Little, Janice Chenchow, Angela Rowson, Jenni Dang
Structural Engineer: Ruggero Benvenuti – Benvenuti S.C Pty Ltd
Builder: Tecorp Constructions Pty Ltd
Project Area: 280 sqm
Project Year: 2006-2008
Photographs: John Gollings

The Freshwater House developed the idea of the operable façade to mediate between the requirements for privacy and shading on a relatively public site adjacent to the beach.

The resulting building is made up of three distinct parts; a podium base, a garden/ living space, and a bedroom volume clad with operable screens; each designed with unique spatial and material qualities.

ground floor plan

first floor plan

The basement podium level is introverted and enclosed, concealing a deeply recessed entry vestibule and garage within the natural topography of the site. The podium is clad with vertical weathered timber battens, which wrap around the entire level and extend to the ground floor, to form a balustrade at the periphery of the site. The timber battens of the balustrade are angled on each façade to allow direct views to the beach below.

The living level on top of the podium is open and expansive, in contrast to the contained basement foyer below. Sandwiched between the upper and lower volumes, the living space is almost without definition. This level is conceived as one fluid horizontal landscaped space, taking in the whole area of the site and connected visually to the landscaped areas below and above the site.

The top bedroom level floats above the landscaped living level and is veiled with custom- made external bi-folding shutters anodised dark bronze. The shutters are constructed of vertical battens to maintain views to the beach below. The shutters provide privacy, enclosure and dappled light to this level. The detailing of the shutters is purposefully simple such that the building reads as an abstract sculptural form in the landscape when viewed from the beach. When the shutters are open the appearance of the building, and the experience of the interior, transforms. The client’s occupation of the dwelling registers in the operable facade of the building.

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: © John Gollings

: basement floor plan

: elevation

: first floor plan

: ground floor plan

* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

Cite:
Saieh , Nico . "Freshwater House / Chenchow Little" 11 Apr 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 09 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/55650>

Comments (10)
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Nick Downes says:

RT @archdaily: Freshwater House / Chenchow Little http://archdai.ly/b6fDGa

# April 11, 2010 at 06:55

ricky says:

loving it! especially the interior-exterior space transformation

# April 11, 2010 at 11:25

rouan says:

Beautiful! Awesome detailing and use of materials. Welldone!

# April 11, 2010 at 12:46

benjamin says:

excellent design, the movable panels are original and very functional.

# April 11, 2010 at 16:28

up_today_arch says:

I like this! Aspesialy location! And design is very clear and transparent too… It looks like it exists here always…:)

# April 12, 2010 at 02:38

CRISTIAN says:

COOL HOUSE!

# April 12, 2010 at 17:46

kimart says:

very cool !

# June 8, 2010 at 01:08

Josh says:

Definitely by far the sexiest house I have ever laid my eyes upon. I love the architectural style this guy uses, awesome awesome awesome. Thats all I have to say.

# July 28, 2010 at 20:13

Rory says: