Situated within the ‘Board-Walk’ housing estate at the base of Mt Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the immediate context here is typical of modern coastal suburban development.
Think a general brush of project homes with cursory nods to a beach ‘aesthetic’ via timber battens and whitewashed walls.
Within the greater context sits the majestic land form of Mt Coolum.
This colossal rock inspired Sparks Architects‘ design of the Mass & Void project.
It’s form and materiality took cues from Mt Coolum’s substantial and imposing presence.
The relatively large site allowed for an exploration of a single-storey courtyard typology.
That approach delivered passive environmental design dividends and provided privacy from neighbouring two-storey homes into an external centrally planned courtyard.
Before settling on this design, Sparks Architects explored more conventional planning configuration of orthogonal pavilions and central courtyard. This was not pursued due to the resultant compression of the courtyard space.
Nevertheless, the central courtyard space was retained in the final scheme to provide a focus for social activities and play. Sparks Architects’ solution was to allow the geometry of the site’s boundaries to inform the buildings volumes and massing arrangements.
The three building elements aligning the courtyard hug the set back boundaries whilst maximising the ‘internal’ outdoor space.
This approach also allows for a hierarchy of rooms to reflect the tapering of spaces that flank the courtyard.
The extrusion of this plan into a formal language allowed for a playful reflection on the mass and materiality of the rock face and vegetation of Mt Coolum.
The buildings outer ‘face’ is Colorbond Surfmist.
Sparkes Architects’ scheme carves into the building mass to articulate the courtyard and joinery ‘box-outs’, the inner surface manifested through the use of shiplap spotted gum cladding.
That simple move provided an interesting and shifting material play and a subtle echo of the mountain geology beyond.
This project’s modest budget was maximised through a focus on capturing light, breeze, spatial quality, and intrigue through form and the rhythmical play of internal and external space.
Project Details
Completion date – 2015
Project Team
Architecture
Sparks Architects
Sunshine Coast-based Sparks Architects believe buildings that seek a balance between the natural and built environments, through form, materiality, and integrated energy systems will also facilitate spaces that guide us, invigorate us, rest us, seduce us, and inspire us.
The practice is led by Dan Sparks.
Photography
Andrew Manson
Splitting his time between Toronto & Brisbane, Andrew the founder of Manson Images provides an international architectural photography service.
For over a decade Andrew has traveled the world capturing the architectural works of many leading contemporary architects.
Having written his final year dissertation on the photography of architecture for his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Queensland in Australia, Andrew has gone on to implement theory and research into practice.
Using his sensibilities and understanding of architecture, Andrew is well equipped at creating stunning visual experiences which capture his client’s true design intent. He is also an Australian Registered Architect.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2020 Sparks Architects. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2020 Andrew Manson. All Rights Reserved.
Get the Builtworks Letter
In every edition of the Builtworks Letter, you’ll get the behind-the-scenes backstory as to how buildings are designed, built, and brought to life.
You’ll hear compelling stories, learn surprising ideas, meet engaging characters, and discover unique voices.