Bower House

12, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

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Bower House

12, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

Type

Residential › Private House

YEAR

2009

At its inception this project aimed to create a sheltered platform, wedged into the steep
slope just below the crest of a ridge and open on all sides to offer view lines to the peaks,
outcrops and valleys that surround the site.
Our intention for a visually permeable structure was tested by a category 3 and flame zone
bushfire rating that prohibited glazing in the directions of the most significant view lines.
This issue was resolved with a system of sliding steel shutters that open theatrically to
reveal the dramatic landscape beyond.

The relationship between this dwelling, its site and the greater landscape is born of
considered responses to range of aspirations and restrictions that were particular to this
site. Panoramic views to the south including the very immediate view of Mount Coxcomb
produced a conflict between the requirement for large areas of glazing and avoiding
excessive heat loss. Multiple boundary, easement and slope restrictions reduced a site of
7.2 ha to a potential building triangle of just 800 m2. The idea of a platform floating above
the limit of native regrowth on the slope below to connect with significant view lines worked
well topographically but increased exposure to winds and fire. In addressing these issues
the building utilises passive and active systems to provide thermal comfort and protection.
These systems also act to transform the building from an insulated metal bunker to a
pavilion that nears complete openness.

Cost was managed in this project primarily by limiting the area of the house to 160 m2
while still meeting all of the clientʼs functional requirements. Critically, the house is an
arrangement of two distinct forms, one an open pavilion enclosing the principle living areas
and the other more introverted form enclosing guest and servant spaces. This distinction
allowed a greater portion of the budget to be concentrated on the structure and glazing of
the living areas without the servant spaces feeling compromised. The judicious placement
and sizing of glazed areas and the devision of our own sliding fire shutters rather than
proprietary items were also critical to the management of project costs.

Consultation with a local engineer generated a minimal structural solution that is highly
visible and closely integrated with the building fabric.

To reduce the environmental impact of this project the building uses passive and active
systems to provide thermal comfort including northern orientation, high thermal mass,
large ventilation openings and external block-out shutters. In addition to these
considerations, the building is self sufficient in terms of energy, water and waste disposal.

The client for this project is particularly satisfied with the way this house opens to the
landscape whilst still providing physical and emotional warmth. The building is tuned and
tunable to the needs of the client and to the cycles of its valley.

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Bower House

12, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

Bower House

12, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team