This project continues our exploration of ‘roof’ houses where gathered under one single strong roof form are a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that afford a range of ways of engaging with the landscape and views. Building on the strengths of the Cedar Creek and Samford 2 houses this strategy creates the opportunity for the simultaneous making of a strong singular form and a responsive plan through cost effective and climatically appropriate construction.
The Tarragindi 2 house is configured to both work within the constraints of the large but triangular suburban block and take advantage of the views into the adjacent bush reserve. The ‘T’ shaped plan creates two landscape spaces – one to the street and a larger private ‘court’ to the rear. The rear court and pool is flanked and overlooked by the indoor and outdoor living spaces and the main bedroom. While the living spaces are strongly grounded spilling out to the yard to the north and east and embraced by the garden to the south, the main bedroom peninsula dramatically projects out over the landscape. By terracing the rear court a strong visual and physical connection is made with the generous yard and large fig and bunya pine trees. The lower self-contained rumpus room is fully immersed in the landscape opening to both landscape spaces while the guest bedroom has a private north facing courtyard.
The simple roof and building form is layered and given depth through the numerous screens and balustrades assembled from hardwood reclaimed from the demolished original house, together with translucent roof sheeting. The super-scaled screen to the west edge of the main bedroom and rumpus wing both shield spaces from the western sun and give privacy to the street. At night it will glow and register the occupation within.
