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2009 Queensland Architecture Awards
Far North Queensland House of the Year
A tough urban studio, consisting of a downstairs workspace and a flat above is inserted into a small inner city lot.
Winner of the Australian Institute of Architects Far North Queensland House of the Year 2009.
Brief & Context
The client owned a small (400m2) corner lot on Cairns Esplanade. Studio Mango were commissioned to design a house facing the Esplanade with a self contained Studio to the rear of the lot. This Studio had to relate to the neighbouring 2 storey units, fit into a very tight space, be multi functional, and secure and tough for its inner urban context. The client had in mind an interior space like the inner city converted warehouse and loft spaces of Melbourne and Sydney.
Design Approach
The upper level is a single open space with a mezzanine bedroom, and enclosed verandah that sits over a bathroom, storage and garage. The garage was designed to be able to be used as an office, studio or shop space by inserting a shop front into the garage opening. A polished concrete tilt-up wall is built right to the boundary and the verandah steps the building back from the street to match the neighbours. The concrete provides a solid base with a lightweight upper storey.
Materials
Since inner city warehouses and lofts are somewhat rare in Cairns a style was chosen that had similarities without being a copy. Exposed concrete tilt up walls, with the lifting points left unfilled, an exposed interior steel frame and corrugated steel walls enclose a highly sophisticated fitout. Aluminium Jalousie louvers were used to control sun, couple with casements to cacth the breeze.
Sustainability
While this project was not driven by sustainability issues, it is still very efficient with insulated sandwich panel cladding, big roof overhangs, aluminium louvre windows for sun control, and high level venting of hot air.
Design Team & Builder
Mango team: James Maude, Glenn Howe
Structural Engineer: ARUP
Mechanical Engineer: MGF
Builder: Geoff McDonald
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