1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Andrew + Jen's House
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Margate, Tasmania
CLIENT
Andrew + Jen
STATUS
Built (2002)
AWARDS
2002 RAIA - Residential Buildings Award
2002 RAIA - Environmental Award
2003 RAIA - James Blackburn Triennial Award - this award is considered a “best of the best” and is awarded to the outstanding design of the previous three years.
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
Richard Eastwood + Kevin Wiggins
Designed for a young family seeking a more self-sufficient way of living, Andrew + Jen's House combines environmental responsibility with a simple, carefully resolved architectural response to its setting.
Entirely independent of town electricity, water and sewerage services, the house integrates the practical requirements of autonomous living with a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural Engineering:
Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
+Electrical Engineering:
Kingston & Associates
+ Land Surveyor:
Noel Leary & Associates
Place
Situated at the forest fringe, the house occupies a transition between the enclosed forest to the south and west and the open landscape to the north and east. Its elevated position captures panoramic views across the rolling landscape of Margate and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, while its northern orientation maximises sunlight and passive solar gain.
The siting and orientation establish a clear relationship between the house and its setting, sheltering it against the forest edge while opening the living spaces to sun, views and the broader landscape.
Process
The house is organised around a simple linear plan, with living and sleeping spaces arranged along a central circulation spine to capture northern sunlight and views. A compact, efficient layout accommodates three bedrooms, a loft, study and service areas, with living spaces extending outdoors.
Approached through the forest from the south, the entry is marked by a distinctive bridge and canopy. Its steeply angled roof accommodates solar panels at their optimal pitch, integrating energy generation into the architectural expression of arrival. At the centre of the house, an outdoor living area steps down to a lower, curvilinear deck, drawing the occupants towards the open landscape and maintaining uninterrupted views across the paddock.
A restrained palette of steel, glass and natural timber establishes a contemporary architectural language that sits comfortably within the forest setting. Precision in the detailing and the considered use of materials allow the architecture to remain simple while responding to the practical demands of its environment.
The house operates independently of municipal services. Solar panels generate its electricity, rainwater supplies household and garden needs, and wastewater is managed on site. These systems are integrated into the design from the outset, making self-sufficiency an intrinsic part of the home's architecture rather than an addition to it.
Impact
Andrew + Jen's House demonstrates how a commitment to self-sufficient living can inform a home that is environmentally responsible, functionally efficient and architecturally considered. By integrating autonomous services, passive solar design and a strong connection to the landscape, the house supports a more independent way of life while providing high-quality spaces that enhance the everyday experience of home.
Awards + Jury Citation
RAIA – Residential Buildings Award 2002
"The Jury is impressed with all aspects of this autonomous house which has no connection to town power water or sewer.
The layout is simple and environmentally efficient. The building form is essentially familiar, though the entry bridge with its steeply raking roof, which sets the solar panel at its optimum pitch, is far from predictable.
This house abounds with examples of beautifully realised solutions to both usual and unique design problems.
The jury believes that Andrew and Jen's house exemplifies a commitment by the architect to meeting the client's exacting brief by designing a building which is able to exceed their expectations through its architectural refinement and integrity."
