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design

mag

Adam describes the architectural design as

“Modernist with an industrial feel,” thanks to its

linear design and the use of ‘engineering’

materials such as steel, bricks and concrete.

“As the elements were exposed rather than

concealed, we kept a sense of truth to the

materials chosen,” he contends.

The interior of the lower level is comprehensively

linked to the outdoors.The living area is flanked by

a Japanese garden to the west and an east-

facing garden terrace, both accessed by folding

doors.An internal courtyard leads to the pool,

while the back lawn and deck are directly

accessed from the dining and rumpus rooms

respectively.

The western elevation is a solid blade wall to

block the low afternoon sun. Like most of the

masonry walling on both levels of this house, it is

constructed in cavity brickwork, aka double brick,

a common construction form in Sydney.“Dad was

adamant on using double brick construction with

a 50mm cavity, mainly for thermal reasons, but

also aesthetically as he grew up in brick homes,”

says Adam.

He describes the lower level as “like a huge

platform that opens up but also encloses for

privacy and warmth,” contrasting this with many

conventional houses that are largely

disconnected from their external spaces.The

requirement for broad access to the garden and

courtyard areas prompted the use of a

substantial steel frame which supports cavity

brickwork above.

The use of an engineered structure to support

upper-level brickwork is unusual but readily

achievable, extending the thermal and aesthetic

values of brickwork (not to mention its low

maintenance requirements).

The first response of Adam’s builder-brother,

Joseph, to the proposed design was “How am I

going to build this thing!”The brothers met many

times to sort out issues before engaging trades.

“Being able to see that end result with Adam’s 3D

visualisations images made it a lot easier for me to

construct,” says Joseph.

“Setting up the flashing details where the

brickwork met the beams at the first floor slab level

was a bit of a challenge,” he admits, adding that

in the end “we didn’t have any issues, it was all

planned out well.”

The house is built on a concrete slab underpinned

by a gravel layer, with a suspended slab at the first

floor.The insulated cavity brickwork further

enhances the thermal massing.The open design

also allows excellent crossflow ventilation, an often

overlooked component of passive design.

The rear of the house faces north, allowing the low

winter sun to penetrate over the pool and through

the internal courtyard into the living space. Hard

flooring throughout the lower level substantially

enhances thermal absorption into the slab.

The external face of the brickwork features Bowral

Blue dry-pressed bricks, a popular choice from

Bowral Bricks renowned range of premium

architectural bricks.The inner leaf of the cavity

walls and the single-skin internal walls were

constructed with Austral Bricks purpose-made

commons – mostly Standard 76mm and 119mm

high, but with a scattering of Maxi and Through

Wall commons – and sheeted in plasterboard.

There are no stud walls.

Joseph is used to building in cavity brick and

prefers its quality.“Timber [framing] is good,” he

says,“but for a house that you may want to keep

for the rest of your life, double brick is the way

to go.”

We asked Adam what it’s like having your parents

as the client and your brother as the builder. He

admits the design was “really challenging” for

John and Fay but the 3D visuals “helped them

get a better grasp of what was going on.”

The sibling rivalry of the brothers’ childhood has

been replaced with a mutual respect.“Joe and I

worked well together and we are definitely

considering doing more projects in the future,”

says Adam.“Adam has a very creative mind,”

Joseph commends, adding that “it was definitely a

challenge but it was a great result in the end.”

The project came in close to budget, one of the

advantages of keeping it in the family.“We worked

for minimum wages,”Adam says laughing,“so our

parents saved a lot of money which is good. It’s

the least we could do for them after all they have

done for us.”