Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Exterior PhotographyDivided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, TableDivided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Bathroom, BathtubDivided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Exterior PhotographyDivided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - More Images+ 26

Richmond, Australia
  • Design Team: Jon Clements, Hanah Wexler, Rob Majcen, Will Christian, Jessie Legge, Tim Jackson, Graham Burrows
  • Artist: Ian Strange
  • Lighting Consultant: Light Project
  • City: Richmond
  • Country: Australia
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Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Exterior Photography, Facade
© John Gollings

Text description provided by the architects. The design of this family home for Jon and Elisa Clements was a slow burn developed through ongoing reflection. The house was to provide necessary breathing room for teenage boys, accommodation for regular visits from friends and interstate family, and dedicated spaces to support working from home. 

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Wood, Chair, Windows
© John Gollings
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Image 28 of 31
Plans - Basement and Ground Floor
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Table
© John Gollings

Jon and Elisa were also aware that as their lives continue to change, the house might need to change as well, and the home was planned with a divided program allowing for potential future subdivision into two dwellings. 

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Windows
© John Gollings

Having lived in Clifton St prior to building Divided House, Jon felt that there was an opportunity to contribute to the area’s heritage values at a more considered level. The house provides considered streetscape activation in contrast to traditional Victorian Era dwellings through generous living spaces opening onto Clifton St and the inclusion of a small public seat in the front fence, providing a welcome rest point on the hill. “Taarnuk ut-baany” is inscribed on the seat, a gesture in the local Boon Wurrung Language translating as “Water in the billy” – a traditional invitation to share food, sit around the fire and tell stories. 

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography
© John Gollings
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Bathroom, Bathtub
© John Gollings

The non-contributory dwelling that previously existed on the site was to be demolished to make way for the new home. Jon and Elisa wanted to recognize the dwelling as part of the sites continuing history and, consequently, JCB collaborated with Australian contemporary artist Ian Strange. Large public artwork and exhibition were installed on site prior to demolition, with the dwelling now permanently captured in the photographic work ‘Twenty-Five’. More than 2000 people visited Ian’s temporary ‘Open Home’ exhibition prior to demolition and ‘Twenty-Five’ now greets visitors at the entrance to Divided House.

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair
© John Gollings
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Image 29 of 31
Plan - 1st and Roof Floor

The garden also references the continuing history of the site: Indigenous and native plantings acknowledge the historical landscape of the Birrarung and traditional occupation of Australia and the Kulin Nation, while Mediterranean and exotic plantings reference post-war immigration and the previous owner’s 50-year occupation of the site. 

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Beam, Windows
© John Gollings

The plan arrangement of the house is divided into two primary brick building forms placed at the front and rear of the site. These buildings have separate frontages to Clifton St and Waverley St, responding to differing streetscapes and associated heritage considerations. The two primary forms are linked by a single storey ‘lean-to’; the gravitational centre of the building, embracing the north-facing courtyard and garden. This meeting point accommodates the kitchen and informal living space and it both divides and connects the two ends of the house. This lower form also provides important solar access to the neighbouring dwelling immediately to the south.

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography, Stairs
© John Gollings
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Interior Photography
© John Gollings

Parents and kids are separated at each end of the house. The two-storey building form to the east accommodates a garage, kid’s bedrooms, rumpus and laundry/service areas, while the western-built form accommodates retreat living, dining/study on the ground floor, first-floor main bedroom and flexible gallery/studio basement with guest accommodation. The planning provides considered relationships between internal spaces, external gardens and city views throughout the house.

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Exterior Photography
© John Gollings
Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Image 31 of 31
Elevations

This project exemplifies the value of collaborative and continuous design processes which engage the expertise of builders, secondary consultants and specialist tradespeople as key contributors to the quality of the outcome.

Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows - Exterior Photography
© John Gollings

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Cite: "Divided House / Jackson Clements Burrows" 25 Feb 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/977453/divided-house-jackson-clements-burrows> ISSN 0719-8884

© John Gollings

隔断之家 / Jackson Clements Burrows

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