Ferntree Gully Development
This project intent was to capitalize on the rear vacant land by retaining the existing front property and develop a new rear with a contemporary designed townhouse. The property is located behind a shopping precinct and the Council planning scheme encouraged denser development.
Design Features
– Clear minimalist approach with depth to the façade by using simple multiple material compositions such as multiple brick colours on the ground floor, cement sheet and timber on the upper wall facade • The Study area and Façade area is extruded to frame the street view.
– Beautiful centralized stairs separate the private and public zones
The clients brief especially required the existing home to be retained and develop a new unit at the rear of the property. The rear unit consists of 4 bedrooms, a separate study space, kitchen, laundry, pantry and 2 big living spaces with two car parking area. To design within local council Planning Scheme and guidelines, the existing front property required remedial works, open garden space and 2 dedicated car parks.
The site has two easements, one along with the property and the other at the rear. The main challenge was to fit the proposed large development at the same time retaining the existing front unit. To make use of the easement space efficiently, DesignLife proposed a structure that has one garage carpark space and the other has an open car park within the easement area. This helped achieve an additional carpark space and avoid build over easement issues for the project. To improve the overall ground floor lighting level, a skylight is placed above the stair area which draws light to the ground floor darker spaces.
The design philosophy was to question prospects and retreat spaces in a modern sub-division development. In a home, humans tendency is to retreat into nature and isolate the public domain. This architecture responds to this notion in a balanced way to create a home.