Accedi
Utenti registrati
Originally built in 1985, the existing house had a somewhat awkward planning layout that created a number of separate rooms that suffered from being too enclosed, and with poor relationships to the outdoor. Our driving intent was to generate significant enhancements through limited alterations, while engaging with the beach-house feel of the existing home: a philological design strategy. All requirements were accommodated within the original envelope, with the addition of newly designed outdoor living spaces: a terraced landscape and pool area, under a suspended canopy. A restrained material palette places the emphasis on the new hierarchy of the spaces, the geometry of solids and voids, and the resulting experience of discovery that is felt during the daily inhabitation of the house.
Contribuisci con il tuo voto assegnando un wish a questo progetto.
Registrati o
Accedi per esprimere il tuo voto
The adaptive-reuse has had only a minor impact on the external building envelope so as to preserve the memory and meaning of the neighbourhood’s streetscape. The suspended canopy to the North of the house sits above a habitable terraced landscape, and along with surrounding vegetation generates a climate responsive layer around the house providing heat protection, while supporting comfortable outdoor living. Such layout also promotes meaningful interaction with the street and surrounding properties. Existing vegetation on the site was retained and expanded throughout the project providing mutual amenity, respite, and privacy to the house, the neighbouring properties, and the street.
This project's success in environmental performance stems from collaboration with the Structural Engineer, also the Client, preserving over 90% of the existing structure. Passive design, with focus on cross ventilation, exploits local trade winds to ensure comfort with minimal energy usage. A canopy and added vegetation shield from solar gains, fostering outdoor living. Heating and cooling via a hydronic underfloor system optimises the performance of the existing floor-slabs' mass. Leveraging orientation and location, low louvered openings channel breezes, cooling the floor. Thermal upgrades, like a newly insulated perimeter wall, improve the R-value and integrate double-glazing. The existing glazed dome atop the building was used to harness the chimney effect for improved ventilation.
Our Clients’ needs could be summarised in three fundamental aspects that the original home was missing: - An independent suite for visiting relatives, beyond the requirements of a family of four. - Liveable outdoor areas, protected from the elements. - Thermal and environmental performance while maximizing views. Multiple living-areas were created that are visually connected with each other while allowing a degree of individual respite. Wall openings were reconfigured to allow free flowing movement between inside and out, while framing views to the lush gardens surrounding the house. All requirements were accommodated within the original envelope with the addition of newly designed outdoor living spaces: a terraced landscape and pool area under a large, suspended canopy. The careful selection of materials retained the original coastal character of the 1985 house, and its place in the streetscape, while significantly enhancing its internal atmospheres. A light earthen render and rich Cotto floor are the foundation of the new palette, extending the interior onto the exterior, creating a refined yet raw Mediterranean connotation. The limited material selection places the emphasis on the hierarchy of the spaces, the geometry of solids and voids, and the resulting experience of discovery that is felt during the daily inhabitation of the house.
’’Acquired in a state of neglect, our City Beach property has been transformed into a home that we feel proud and privileged to live in. We needed space to live comfortably and sustainably, while maximizing views and an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. MORQ created a space for us that speaks of our common Mediterranean heritage, harmoniously integrated with its natural surroundings, and engaging to live in. Thank you for this amazing project ... At home, we feel on holiday every day of the year!’’
MORQ is an architecture firm founded in Rome, Italy in 2001, with offices in Italy & Australia. Its work ranges from residential, hospitality and commercial projects to masterplan & landscape interventions. MORQ is the recipient of numerous awards and is widely published internationally.
The founding partners, Matteo Monteduro (1970), Emiliano Roia (1971) and Andrea Quagliola (1972) were all born in Rome and studied Architecture at La Sapienza University.
MORQ is dedicated to the making of architecture: meaningful spaces within essential and thoughtful buildings. In dialogue with existing conditions, whether natural or built, we see constraints as a starting point for our design, rather than impediments to our creativity.
We envision spaces that are intimate yet open, engage with shades of natural light, change throughout the day and are activated by the emotive and sensorial qualities of materials.
