Aotea House | Britten Pace

2021 Tasmanian Architecture Awards

2021 Tasmanian Architecture Awards: People's Choice

Aotea House | Britten Pace

residential architecture | houses (new)

A faceted monolithic concrete form punctuated by panel joints and openings, Aotea House faced challenging site conditions and the design muse of a commanding white gum.

Rather than provide a continuous panorama allied to a homogeneous kitchen/living/dining, the vertical program presented an opportunity to create smaller distinct spaces within a larger volume. These intimate spaces were designed as an escape for family members with foreground relief from the panoramic views of the living room.

The plan is an irregular pentagon stacked over three modest floor plates, with each narrowing and framing views of foliage and close bushland or opening to sweeping views of the Derwent and Southern Midlands.

The white gum creates a contiguous thread, cohabiting occupants with rosellas feeding in its leafy canopy, then descending past the striking white trunk of the understory to the forest floor below.

Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?

“From the moment we walk in the front door and take the journey down the staircase, we relish in the sense of space that is calm, comforting, well-proportioned and private. The carefully orientated outlooks give a close connection to nature which was important to us, as well as urban sprawling views. One of our prerequisites was having a design that enabled each family member to find their own space while still being connected. This design absolutely does this. It positively benefits our way of
‘being’ as a family and it will continue to adapt with us into the future.”