Addison Road Duplex
The idea behind the project was to provide two separate
dwellings with their own entry and gardens that make the most of
the district and water views.
To provide two separate dwellings with their own entry and
gardens that make the most of the district and water views, while
achieving acoustic separation and good thermal performance. This
final requirement was particularly difficult due to the orientation
of the site.
As this was a commercial development without a particular
occupant in mind, the design needed to be flexible enough to be
able to accommodate a range of different potential groups. A
contemporary beach feel was the overriding philosophy for this
project located so close to so many coastal opportunities.
The choice to split the block down the middle allowed for each
duplex to have its own street entry and back garden, as well as a
simplified approach to sound between units. While this meant that
one unit would have a better orientation that the other, a well
insulated envelope and carefully designed windows/doors ensure that
both dwellings perform well thermally and have good natural light
and ventilation.
Entry to each residence is gained via a pathway down each side.
This provides private and separate entries while allowing the front
lounge room to be full width, uninterrupted by a hallway. The
openness between all the living areas on the entry level allow
views from the front of the house to the rear as well as good air
flow.
The upper floor contains two bedrooms each with an ensuite and
balcony. One connects with the leafy street and the other with the
distant water views. The lower ground floor houses the garage,
laundry/bathroom and an additional bedroom or study. This
arrangement gives great flexibility for successfully accommodating
a home office or visitors with little interruption to the main part
of the home.
The stair well that connects all levels is housed in a volume
that has high level windows. These bring light into the heart of
the house and allow hot air to escape in summer.
This striking result shows how a sense of space and light can be
brought into even narrow sites with thoughtful consideration of
layout and levels, connections of rooms and internal light
wells.
Caroline Pidcock
Carolyn McFarland
Nick Tedesco
Builder
Ultra Developments
Structural Engineer Partridge Partners
Simple and intuitive methods for operating the terraces
Location of house near local facilities
Convenient location of storage space for recycling
Good thermal performance of house
Good natural light and ventilation
Good views to the outside
Tiles and timber floors used for all living rooms
Low VOC paints
Good thermal performance to result in minimal heating and
cooling
Appropriate levels of insulation and thermal mass
Well designed natural ventilation throughout house
Good natural light throughout house
Convenient, dedicated, sunny area for drying clothes
Water saving fixtures and appliances
Materials selected with thought given to reducing their impacts
over their life
House designed to easily adapt to changing family lifestyles
Timber from sustainably managed forests for new floor boards
and decking
Size of project relatively modest
Built-on area kept to a minimum
Land used for building improved by project
Garden design to enhance local ecosystems and encourage local
flora and fauna
Garden design inherent to house design