Australian Capital Territory
The project comprised the design and construction of a new single storey house in the northern Canberra suburb of Kaleen.
The building form is a long east-west block that maximises the potential for living spaces to receive northern orientation. The internal planning is based on a simple principle of locating living and sleeping spaces on the northern side, with service zones, wet areas and study on the south. The interior spaces are defined by the terraced floor plates and the continuous skillion roof/ceiling.
The dynamic quality of the steps and the skillion ceiling combine to creates a fluid interior quality where each room is characterised by the alternating ceiling heights. The interior finishes comprise a neutral palette of timber, honed concrete and white plaster. The project has been carefully crafted by the building and joinery teams to provide an elegant palette of considered materials and domestic expression
Discreetly, yet boldly addressing the street, Kaleen house is a beautiful resolved and refined project with no stone left unturned.
There is a lasting impression from the home’s generous connection to the landscape as it gently follows the site’s natural topography. The gentle undulation to the back of the block is complemented by the terracing of the landscape and home together, resulting in a harmonious relationship between site and dwelling.
The warm timber ceiling unifies the home creating a dynamic sense of scale and invitation to move through the building. The sequence of spaces is thoughtfully laid out beginning at the verge, concealed carport, the offset entry and throughout the elongated plan.
With a long east-west axis, the architectural form allows the placement of living and bedrooms to the north, complementary to the passive solar and sustainability goals considered throughout the project.
The architecture speaks softly to the street, with the roofline following the natural slope of the block, it maintains a regular grounding connection to the landscape and the home becomes a low-lying neighbor to its surrounds.
Kaleen House is a confident addition to Canberra’s established suburban context and provides a delightful outcome sure to last the test of time.
Working with Ben Walker Architects was a pleasure from start to finish. Moving from concepts to plans was quick and painless.
Ben dealt with approvals, the building contract, scoping options for material and appliance selections, and the coordination of other elements of the design program with clear, regular, succinct communication.
Ben also worked through details of design elements with us and the builder throughout the build and maintained an unerring commitment to delivering within our budget and to our high expectations.
Ben’s expertise and professionalism in all stages of the design and build process was the foundation for our success.
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.
