By the Pool House

By the Pool House was designed by Jane Riddell Architects to provide a sanctuary beyond a busy inner-city road for a family of five. Drawing the pool up to the house, the interior becomes infused with ripple reflections and watery light.

The addition to the By the Pool house was conceived as a light contemporary companion form to the existing Victorian structure.

The existing Victorian house had been added to in the 1980’s and the resultant spaces did not address the north orientation, nor engage with the outdoor space.

So the rear of the house was demolished to make way for an informal living, meals area, and kitchen that would engage with the pool and courtyard and maximize the north orientation.

Similarly, the first floor was configured to afford views down into these private outdoor spaces from the circulation spaces.

The new built form is set distinctly apart from the existing recognizing a clear transition from new to old.

The new minimal archway between the existing hall and the new spaces reinforces this idea as it mirrors the form of existing Victorian arches whilst heralding the contemporary spaces beyond.

As a counterpoint to the solidity of the original inward looking poly-chrome brick house, the materiality of the addition is lightweight and minimal and orientated to the north.

The new form is held off the existing volume with a linear skylight that drenches the archway under with light. Full height glazing to the northern edge of the ground floor implies that the first-floor volume is floating above.

The west overhang of this first floor creates a multi-purpose space that can be used for cars.

The façade to the pool and courtyard is conceived as a series of stacked windows that connect to the sequence of spaces between kitchen, stair, back door, and void over.

They provide a shopfront like transparency to the interior when viewed from the pool, and terminate in a return skylight at the first floor.

The underlying principle was to create a place of calm – and a refuge away from a bustling neighborhood.

Modern volumes and finish, complementary and well-paired form, and an immediacy of relationship to water contribute to the creation of a home sanctuary.

The contribution of the builder, Alastair Hewitt from AJ Hewitt Construction, was as a fellow collaborator.

He contributed to the timely and effective delivery of the project to the client.

His recognition of the design intent of the architecture and architectural detailing was integral to the process, as were his valued suggestions and consideration of construction detail.

The simple rectangular floor plate was a cost-effective way of achieving the required spaces whilst acknowledging new built form and providing some drama through the use of voids, double height spaces and skylights to the volume of the ground and first floor.

The relationship of the pool to the house is the hero statement and its contribution of reflected light and drama to the interior volumes is significant.

The design of the By the Pool House has enabled Jane Riddell Architects’ client to inhabit a space that is removed from its busy street frontage and yet is engaged with its private courtyard context.

The seamless connection of the added informal living areas with the courtyard and pool have contributed to the sociability of the house, allowing for extended family gatherings that readily flow from interior to exterior areas.

Project Details

Project size – 300 m2
Site area – 519 m2
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 2

Project Details

Architecture

Jane Riddell Architects

Jane Riddell Architects is an architectural practice for people seeking a new home, holiday house or renovation that truly reflects their individual lifestyle and aspirations.

Jane Riddell is a registered Architect in Victoria, and is a long-standing member of the Australian Institute of Architects. She leads a small team of architects who share her passion for residential architecture – and for the people, places and processes involved in creating it.

www.janeriddellarchitects.com.au

Structural Engineering

Structplan Group

Structplan is an experienced specialist in Structural Engineering that provides a quality and cost effective design, documentation and certification service.

www.structplan.com.au

Construction

AJ Hewitt Construction

Photography

Hilary Bradford

Hilary Bradford is a Melbourne based photographer specialising in architecture, interiors, and landscape photography.

Working as an architect for over ten years before embarking on a career in photography, she has been immersed in the design world for much of her working life.

Her design background has given her the ability to interpret the brief and understand the client’s needs with an added awareness of having worked in the architectural field for many years.

www.hilarybradfordphoto.com.au