New South Wales
Aija’s Place is for the eponymous and her cats. With views to Awaba (Lake Macquarie) Aija came to us with an already strong connection to place, her home and cherished garden. Our contribution was to ensure that these elements of Aija’s lifestyle were united and enhanced with a range of small interventions that combined to form a new wholistic mode of operation for the dwelling.
Opportunities for sunlight, breezes, garden and views to permeate the house are increased, offering adaptability and heightened connections.
As a single occupant, her home now allows Aija the freedom and flexibility to dwell in a series of spaces which are responsive to her self: in living, working, gardening, and being.
In re-evaluating existing housing stock which is ill-equipped for climate and Country, Aija’s Place is the latest in a series of investigations by Curious Practice into the power of minimal built intervention for maximum transformation.
Curious Practice worked largely within the existing footprint of my sturdy but plain 1974 house to create inspiring spaces to live in and take better advantage of views to the lake, treetops and garden. My cats can chase the sun as it travels through the house and the main bedroom, once dark and cold, is now a place to hang out and read or knit, with openings on 3 sides and the best view of the garden. Being able to step out of my bedroom to the garden each day is one of the many new joys of living here.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
