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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

A Product of

The Plan to Build House by tenfiftyfive
HomesElla McDougall

The Plan to Build House by tenfiftyfive

Australia

A home in Melbourne by architects tenfiftyfive boasts a kitchen that connects directly to the exterior environment. No longer do those cooking need to be separated from the rest of the happenings.


Two huge lemon-scented gumtrees dominate the site of this Melbourne home, creating a salient natural feature around which the house is designed. Engrossing windows in the living room invite in the northern winter sun to cast playful shadows through the outdoor foliage over the interior spaces.

The entire first floor seemingly hovers, cantilevered above the lower living spaces in a mix of timber cladding that draws from the rich native landscape. The internal material palette combines concrete, steel, timber and brick, all chosen for their hardiness and ability to store energy and regulate temperature.

An acute awareness of the home’s energy efficiency permeates the design. Concrete slabs which hold up the first storey use in-slab hydronic heating to regulate the temperature and provide an incredible noise barrier between the living and children’s bedrooms. Solar panels operate a heat pump which can be reversed in summer and entirely eliminate the need for air-conditioning.

Salvaged and recycled materials extend throughout the house, echoing the house’s concern for sustainability. Old paving bricks have been reused to create beautifully aged new walls while Oregon rafter was also recrafted into a feature wall support for the upper storey. Recycled Blackbutt timber is incorporated in the ceiling beams, bathrooms, tv cabinets, kitchen, BBQ as well as the ceiling beams as a resourceful accent of earthy texture.

Read the bathroom feature in Habitus #36, the Nourish issue, out now.

In the print story, on page 105 of Habitus #36, we incorrectly attributed tenfiftyfive’s telephone number. Our sincere apologies to the team. You can reach them on 03 9572 4454 or on 0431 731 939

tenfiftyfive
tenfiftyfive.com.au

Words by Ella McDougall

Photography by Christine Francis

Plan To Build window
Plan To Build kitchen
Plan To Build kitchen
Plan To Build Living Room
Plan To Build storage

About the Author

Ella McDougall

Tags

Home ArchitectureHouse ArchitectureResidential Architecture


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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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