Archetype - Samford House

The Samford House was designed to be built analogous as an ‘occupied ruin’ or a constituent of a ‘city wall’ (Australian Institute of Architects, 2007). Money was not an issue when it came to the design ad construction of this house. The clients sought after a very environmentally friendly de

sign with an ageless finish. The wraparound pebble courtyard coupled with the external batten screens embodies the house with a Japanese zen-like atmosphere (Specifier, 2010). The idea of an ‘occupied ruin’ is also further instilled with the box-plantings that decorate the exterior of the house, resonati

ng the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The topography was of little concern, yet space was limited. The solution was a three-tiered design with inner courtyard and below-ground basement ventilated and lit by high level windows. The house has also incorporated many features to enhance natural ventilation. Louvres at the upper level draw air from the cooler, basement level of the house expelling warm air accumulated in the living areas. The house also includes low-power LED fluorescent lighting, a 45-kilolitre rainwater tank, recycled iron-bark cladding, a mechanical plant that harvests heat for the pool and a 10kW solar power station. (Specifier, 2010).

Exterior - Front View

Exterior - Courtyard

Exterior - Side View

Floor Plan

All images sourced from Australian Institute of Architects

Australian Institute of Architects. 2010. Bligh Graham Architects, Samford House. http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=11114 (accessed March 4, 2010).

Floor Plan sourced from Bligh Graham Architects

References

Australian Institute of Architects. 2010. Bligh Graham Architects, Samford House. http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=11114 (accessed March 4, 2010).

Specifier. 2010. Bligh Graham Architects. http://www.specifier.com.au/projects/residential/38633/Bligh-Graham-Architects.html (accessed March 4, 2010).