Glyndebourne Residence

Toorak

Our building footprint was largely dictated by the physical constraints of the site. Working within these constraints was out biggest challenge but ultimately proved to offer opportunities that dictated the distinctive character of the architectural form. A large block for an inner Melbourne suburb, yet less than one third could be considered for building.

The constraints included established trees and a designated flood zone to its front portion whilst cutting diagonally across the middle, a council easement with storm water barrel drain. This left only the rear portion of the site for the establishment of a five bedroom family home over two levels.

As the front portion of the site faces north it was decided this serve as the principal garden space, the building form to be extracted as far back from it as possible to the rear boundary alignment.

The introduction of a large central light court to the building form allows northern light to be distributed  within the dwellings interior spaces. A glass curtain wall surrounding this space affords visual interconnections accross the court from one contained space to another over both levels, the house offers full transparency whilst providing ultimate privacy and security.

The face of the building at ground level aligns itself with the diagonal constraint of the drainage easement: a first floor building portion juxtaposes the ground floor discipline, thus establishing the dynamic presence of the building viewed from the street.