Client = Patricia Piccinini

My client is Patricia Picinini, a contemporary freelance artist whose work includes interesting distorted humans, mammals and man made objects. An established artist within her field I believe she needs a house that reflects her unique style but is also clean and free from clutter or cramped feelings (because of the need to display her work) Studio/workspace/drawing area and gallery/exhibition areas are nesseceities. Also another factor would be somewhere that her digital works can be viewed.... Being away from everything will help Picinini focus solely on her work and she will be able to seek solace in the quiet while pondering the engineering topics and the like that drives her ideas for her art. Having the studio and main gallery/exhibition area physically separated from the main house means that Picinini can completely remove herself from her work if need be to clear her head. On the same note though if she has an idea that needs to be adapted straight away she is in close proximity to her studio before she forgets the brainstorm without having to travel great distances to her workspace like most artists have to.

Ground Plan with Site

Location Plan

After careful consideration and much reluctance I decided to utilize Bruny Island, Tas instead of Eumundi Qld. What I wanted to with my design just couldn’t work with the steep slope that dominated that site. It was proving exceptionally difficult and was hindering my design development rather that helping.

The beach front is quite quaint and will provide spectacular views as well as beautiful sunsets I can imagine. (and hope) Having your own piece of personal untouched beach front was quit an appealing thought too. The vegetation won’t prove too difficult to manage however some will need to be removed and replanted in different locations.

I have decided to position my design as close as possible to the beach so the view can be maximized across the water and the house will receive fresh air to help with naturally ventilating the expansive building. The transition between the building and the beach is okay it is difficult designing a proper house on a beachfront without designing a ‘shack’ which is usually associated with the beach in this type of close proximity.

I had to add in roads around to the front of the house and also to the front of the studio. I tried to disturb as little of the beach as possible so as to keep that natural, ‘untouched’ feel. I would make the ‘road’ out of gravel or some other little impact natural material.

Ground Plan With Site

My design incorporates only one floor plan but it does take up a substantial amount of room. There is however different levels as well to take in consideration of the slight slope within the site. My design actually takes direct reference from one of Patricia Picininis works. Apatly named 'Truck Babies' the form of the house with changing levels not only within the floors but also with the changing roof/ceiling heights. This incoporates the changing levels within the truck cabins themsselves as well. My first design was very organic due to Patricias use of organic and 'blobby' forms but the spaces were proving too difficult to form properly and the furniture was also proving a problem. The curved walls are instead a nod to that part of Patricias work and a happy mediu, within my design. As you move from the front of the house (or the 'northly' part of the house) through to the one and only main bedroom it changes from public to private spaces. These are then thinly seperated by a hallway and wall.

Ground Plan

As you walk through the front doors on your left you have a sunken lounge with a half wall dividing the hallway and the living area. The Living area faces south-westerly and has a massive curved glazing wall which has spectacular views over the beach and into the sunset later on in the day. As you walk through the hallway which also doubles as a second smaller exhibition/gallery space for smaller works you turn slightly to your right to find yourself in open plan kitchen with island and stools. Or you can continue on straight ahead through the sliding door through to the cinema/digital media space where you can watch any of Patricias media presentations/exhibitions. Past the kitchen you also pass a second sliding door which leads to the formal dining area. Through to the second hallway you pass into the private area of the house. This has the bathroom, main and only bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe, laundry and study areas. If you walk to the end of the main bedroom and through the bi fold doors you can walk across the path and through bi fold doors to the studio area which houses a plastic room, kiln, bench space and cupboards for any projects to be developed/exacuted. Then pass through another door into the very spacious main gallery/exhibition space, which also has a massive curved glazed wall facing north-westerly and back onto the main part of the house and the beach.

Interior Shots

Unfortunately not enough time (please refer to email) to add furniture and people but the shadows add depth to the front living room area. The picture on the right shows the hallway leading to the front doors. You can tell that there is a lot of room enough for a second smaller gallery/exhibition space.

Exterior Views Of Physical Model

These photos depict how my model will sit on the site at Bruny Island. I would prefer the materials to be as natural as possible given the context and 'untouched' nature of the entire site. Timber and glazing will be the dominant materials with nods to sustainable architecture, low-e double glazing will be used in the two curved glazed walls and more economical (cost wise) lightly tinted glass used in all other glass. Roof will consist of Custom Orb due to the expanse of the roofs and need for easy installation.