Ardross Villas, Perth, Western Australia
Scope of Works
Four units of townhouses were designed for a family group. Each house is individually designed with a common driveway. The four garages are all located off this driveway with a large forecourt area, which would double as a party space for joint gatherings such as Chinese New Year.
The project was challenging, in that it was for four separate clients, however the overall facade had to have the same language so that they would blend. Common materials were used and the elevations were treated as if they were part of one building, which led to a more cohesive whole.
In this project, we had to develop the brief with the clients, and prepare the sketch design and submission for subdivision. We then went onto Development Application (DA) submission, which was approved. The project went to tender, but unfortunately budgeting circumstances made it necessary to look into an alternative option for the construction.
Unfortunately, this project won’t be going ahead as the Clients had some finacial issues and the land was sold in 2022.
Description of the Project.
Two units are stacked, connected via the garages. The front two units have their open space in the front, with a private garden raised above the verge. These units are long and narrow. The rear units share a garden in between, that can be accessed by all the residents. These two units are L-shaped, with courtyards off the dining rooms. All units have living areas facing north. All units have minimum openings to the west with is the rear elevations.
The units range from three to four upstairs bedrooms and Units 2, 3 & 4 have a ground floor TV Room with full bathroom, which can be repurposed as an in-law suite in the future. This was an important consideration for the family as part of their culture is to look after aged parents. The bathrooms can easily accommodate being Accessible. All have an additional family room space on the first floor and Units 2 & 3 spill out on to a balcony, overlooking the driveway and some views of the Perth Hills.
Units 1 & 4 take advantage of the views of Perth Hills and the City from the small balconies off the first floor master bedrooms, and the attic windows. All units have ensuite bathrooms plus a full family bathroom on the first floor.
The design is dominated by the cranked single pitched roof, which was developed to reduce the overshadowing effect on the neighbours and to allow maximum height in the attic spaces. The elevations are built of different layers of various materials, with “U” shaped boxes for the master bedrooms in the front two units and long horizontal windows which help bring down the scale of the two and a half storeys. Each unit has a unique feature, for example, the diagonal window running up the stairwell in Unit 4. Overlooking the neighbouring properties from the first floor has been addressed with the use of timber screens, and these become a major feature of the design.
Materials were chosen for their raw and rustic appeal. Rough, black concrete blocks were contrasted against smooth grey concrete blocks. Feature panels of zincalume finished Custom Orb contrast with the warmth of timber panelling left to weather naturally. The upper attic level was designed to use an acrylic twin-walled sheet which would allow light to flow into the upper family room and attic space. At night, the top floor would glow like a lantern. Inside, exposed concrete walls with panels of natural plywood would contrast with the polished concrete floor finish.