Analysis - Exemplar Analysis

“Our client wanted a unique piece of architecture that could enhance family life and not be precious. Feedback from the client is that the house has achieved this aspiration while providing privacy and sanctuary from the otherwise urban and public environment.” [2]

House as an environmental filter

The Balaam House was not designed to pioneer sustainable design, yet the fit-out does take great care in incorporating and facilitating environmental aspects. The seamless integration of air-conditioning, extraction and ventilation is a major highlight to showcase its sustainability features. The systems are technologically intertwined to control and maintain steady ventilation and cooling throughout the house. The system includes a solar timed air-conditioner, louvres, shutters and blinds as well as a “heat stack” cross ventilation strategy. These systems, among others, were made to rationalize structure, finished, process and mechanisms to contain costs and future maintenance expenses. Furthermore, the house utilised recycled materials throughout some of the design and includes such sustainability features as a rain-water tank, solar control glass.

House as a container of human activites

Arguably one of the most important aspect the architect had to take into consideration was the separation and zoning of spaces within and surrounding the house. The design needed to provide for the needs of children and adults and provide privacy on the northern and west aspects from the public. Beaver (2008) states the “House presents a heavily articulated and screened façade to the north and west to provide privacy from neighboring apartment blocks.” The design also built three stories high enabling a garden to the hidden from public view on the western side of the site.

The Balaam house is a family house and as such required different areas for the children, parents and guests. To overcome this Arkhefield placed the parents, living and guest spaces to the south, facing the city and river views and placed the children’s rooms to the north of the house.

House as a delightful experience

Equally as important as zoning of the house was the orientation to allow for maximum views to the river and city. The house is positioned with the parents’, guests’ and living areas facing south to ‘peel’ back the city view over the river (Beaver, 2008). The house also has considered architecture, interior design, decor, landscape and art as a whole, which allowed for a better integration of all key aspects of the house (Lariviere, 2010). As stated by Sanjivee (2009) “From its materials to its deisng each element of this home intertwines forming a peaceful sanctuary.”

References

[1] Beaver, R. 2008. Balaam Residence. In 100 dream houses from down under, 42-45. Australia: The Images Publishing Group.

[2] Australian Institute of Architects. 2007. Balaam Residence. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2007040378 (accessed March 4/9, 2010).

[3] Arkhefield. n.d. Balaam. http://www.arkhefield.com.au/pdf.php?id=109&table=projects&field=pdf (accessed March 4/9, 2010).

[4] Sanjivee, E. 2009. Home Sweet Home. Space (Malaysia) November 2009: 90-93. http://www.arkhefield.com.au/pdf.php?id=000011&table=news&field=pdf (accessed March 4/9, 2010).

[5] Larivière, M. 2010. Balaam Residence. Prestige Design Magazine (Canada) January 2010. http://www.arkhefield.com.au/pdf.php?id=000075&table=news&field=pdf (accessed March 4/9, 2010).

[6] Specifier. 2009. Balaam Residence. http://www.specifier.com.au/projects/residential/34917/Balaam-Residence.html (accessed March 4/9, 2010)