The Balaam House; situated in a very public domain, plays with house zoning and separation of the private and public domain. The Houses maximizes city views, whilst providing privacy from the public boardwalk and neighbouring apartment buildings. The river-side site, is surrounded by five hundred apartment in tall blocks and is situated alongside a public boardwalk. The orientation of the house needed to provide viewing corridors to the river and city whilst reinforcing privacy. (Nikiomahe, 2008).
The design provides views to the south whilst allowing warmth to penetrate from the north and west simultaneously blocking out neighbour views from the east. The architect utilized the lenient town planning height regulations for the area and stacked the house three levels high on the east to allow for a private garden on the west side of the house. Further use of zoning in the family house extends placing the children’s rooms at the northern end of the house whilst the parents’ guests’ and entertaining spaces lie to the south with river and city views. (specifier, 2010).
The house also incorporates many environmental features such as a well integrated use of air-conditioning, heat extraction and ventilation. The operable louvres, shutters and blinds run on a solar clock to limit air-conditioning use. Further, the house includes rain-water harvesting, solar hot water, solar control glass.
East Elevation
Interior - Stairwell
Exterior View
Interior - Kitchen/Dining
All images sourced from Arkhefield
Arkhefield. n.d. Balaam House. http://www.arkhefield.com.au/projectdetail.php?id=109&cat=4 (accessed March 4, 2010).
References
Australian Institute of Architects. 2007. Balaam Residence. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2007040378 (accessed March 4, 2010).
Nikiomahe. 2008. Balaam House, By Arkhefield. http://www.nikiomahe.com/home-design/balaam-house-by-arkhefield/ (accessed March 4, 2010)
Specifier. 2009. Balaam Residence. http://www.specifier.com.au/projects/residential/34917/Balaam-Residence.html (accessed March 4, 2010)
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