Location Hobart, TAS
Project Completion 2019
Project Size 174m2
Project Description This 2 storey house appears as a small, distinctive white box situated in a gully behind an existing remodelled 1840’s stone workers cottage. It lies on the edge of the Hobart ‘rivulet’, a former stream discharging into the Derwent River from the city’s famed mountainous backdrop of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
It’s simple ‘cube like’ shape echoes previous Hobart styles; namely Art Deco from the 1930’s and New York 5 ‘white’ forms from the 1980’s. While paying homage, a contemporary approach to sustainability was adopted. White Box House, clad in simple fibre cement panelling over steel and timber framing, achieves a 6 star energy rating. Consideration was particularly given to premium insulation, lighting efficiency and cross ventilation.
The building form is enlivened by a dynamic roof profile which pitches diagonally across the plan, providing an arresting internal space and assists with zoning. Furthermore, the partially covered, north facing balcony and BBQ terrace ventilates the plan, providing year round outdoor living.
The bedrooms and living areas in the house challenge convention, with public areas on the upper floor (supplemented by lift) to capture the sun and distant views. The flexible zoning of the openly planned upper floor allows for a variety of uses in one large space.
