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.
Richmond House
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Richmond, Tasmania
CLIENT
Private
STATUS
Built (2021)
AWARDS
Not applicable
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
Set on the rural fringe of the historic village of Richmond, Tasmania, Richmond House reinterprets the familiar forms of traditional rural architecture through a contemporary approach to planning, materials and detailing.
Designed for a small family, the house comprises two linked pavilions that establish the first stage of a broader masterplan for the property. A restrained architectural language and considered response to the landscape create a home that is both grounded in its rural setting and distinctly contemporary.
KEY COLLABORATORS
Place
The house draws on the agricultural buildings and pastoral landscapes that characterise the area surrounding Richmond. Its position takes advantage of views towards the historic village and the distant countryside, while its arrangement responds to the orientation of the site and the changing conditions throughout the day.
Approached from the south, the house presents a more enclosed elevation, with fewer openings providing privacy and shelter. Living and sleeping spaces are arranged along the northern elevation to maximise natural light and passive solar gain, while kitchens, bathrooms and service areas occupy the southern side. This simple planning strategy creates a clear distinction between the more private, sheltered approach and the sunlit spaces that open towards the landscape.
Process
The two pavilions adopt a restrained palette of carbonised timber and black fibre cement cladding, drawing on the simplicity of rural building forms while establishing a contemporary architectural character. Subtle variations in gloss create an interplay of texture and reflectivity across the dark exterior, lending depth and variation to an otherwise minimal material palette.
Carefully positioned cut-outs in the building forms interrupt the solid exterior, creating sheltered outdoor spaces that are integral to the composition of the pavilions. These recesses provide protection from the weather while capturing sunlight and views, extending the living environment beyond the enclosed interiors. Contrasting materials and moments of bright colour within these spaces introduce a playful counterpoint to the darker exterior, adding warmth and variety to the architecture.
The design also establishes a framework for the property's future development. As the first stage of a broader masterplan incorporating visitor accommodation, function facilities and extensive landscaping, the house sets an architectural direction for the site's longer-term evolution.
Impact
Richmond House demonstrates how the familiar forms of rural architecture can inform a contemporary family home without resorting to literal imitation. The simple pavilion arrangement, carefully considered orientation, and restrained material palette establish a strong relationship with the surrounding landscape, while sheltered outdoor spaces extend the experience of living beyond the building's enclosed rooms.
As the first stage of a wider masterplan, the house also establishes a clear architectural identity for the property's future development. The result is a home that responds to its rural context while providing a contemporary setting for family life, balancing privacy, sunlight, outlook and connection to the outdoors.
Awards + Jury Citation
