The house that we built
Our architecture journey to transform an ugly duckling into a warm and earthy Scandinavian style eco abode.
I’m excited today to be sharing my personal architecture journey with you!
Hubby & I have followed the work of Bourne Blue Architects for many years so it was exciting to give them the challenge of transforming our ugly duckling into a swan while incorporating their signature style of understated simplicity, extensive use of concrete and timber and sustainable principles.
This was our written brief:
Key design targets
- Strong connection with the outdoors
- Warmth, light, privacy
- Solar passive design – northern orientation, shading, cross ventilation etc
- Cohesian between existing house and additions
- Low maintenance
Things we love
- Clever design
- Creative use of inexpensive materials
- Polished concrete
- Asian style/way of living
- Window highlights
- High ceilings
- Louvre windows (with flyscreens)
- Large sliding doors preferred over bifolds to outdoor area
- Recycled timber accents
- Ply eaves/ ceiling / wall panels
- Fibre cement / weathertex / corrugated iron cladding
Don’t like
- Sameness
- Houses that show off (complicated design for sake of it)
- Flies/mossies
- Big/lots of rooms that don’t get used
- Low ceilings
Mandatory
- 4 bedrooms incl. master
- Open plan living/dining/kitchenMaster with ensuite incl. bath
- Bathroom close to kids rooms
- Multi-purpose room to accommodate desk/book storage / tv / sofa bed
- Fans throughout
- Covered outdoor entertaining area
- Outdoor shower
Preferred
- Skullery/pantry area
- Plenty of light in master bedroom,
- Walk in wardrone to master bedroomIR,
- Ensuite with outdoor outlook
- Kids rooms not visible to visitors entering
- No need for air conditioning
- 2 car garaging
- Outdoor area adjacent to living area
- Few as possible levels
The picture collage we provided our architects (the vibe of the thing)
Florida House by TDA Architecture (left) and Seal Rocks House 4 by Bourne Blue (right)
Harbour house by Peter Stutchbury & Bourne Blue (left) and Boomerang Beach houses by Bourne Blue (right)
So what did they come up with?
Our first look at Bourne Blue’s idea was the image below, which to be honest was a bit of a shock after all the timber inspiration we’d provided. It felt and looked a bit like a public hospital😳.
A week or so of heart palpitations later, we got the concept with materials added. Phew 😅
Sustainable features:
- Passive solar design
- Rainwater harvesting
- Solar water heating
- Cross ventilation with fans for cooling
- Timber construction
- Low maintenance cladding and interior linings
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