ab House

The ab House is a new 2 storey dwelling on a vacant block in leafy inner north Canberra. The proposal includes a projecting series of upper floor balconies that reflect the hierarchy of the interior rooms they serve. The projecting balconies become telescopes that focus on beautiful distant mountain views to the north. The presentation to the street frontage allows control of views by the residents – the mature street trees offer a soft outlook from interior studies and bathrooms. Joinery comprises a range of natural timbers, stone and concrete. Many of the timber elements have been manufactured using hardwood harvested from the client’s family farm – this gives a wonderful narration and connection to the family history within this new home. Sun filled ground floor living rooms harvest the warmth from the sun into insulated concrete slabs to passively heat the house in winter. Careful use of shading devices allow the slab to act as a source of coolth in hot summers