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