#more with less

ADDICTION, SURFACE, BOX

Sean Godsell architects: seangodsell.com

A freestanding 24 sq m studio constructed to the north of an existing house in Kew. The design of the original house in 1996 assumed a second stage building to be located immediately to the north of the existing house.

“Over time additions to the neighbouring house to the north and the construction of an entirely new house to the east seemed to consume the outdoor space around the original house and I decided that the only way to oppose this encroachment was to build a monolithic structure that reclaimed control over the scale of the original house and garden.” The architect said. This idea of opposite is also conveyed by the surface (solid and dark in comparison to the light filled and sunscreen veiled earlier house) and moreover by the proportions (the new studio is vertical, the existing house horizontal). The existing and new buildings are connected by their common materiality – oxidised steel and recycled hardwood flooring – but are physically separate. The new studio meets the current statutory requirements for sustainable design. It includes a small shower room and pull out bed so that it can be used as a guest room in the future.

“The power of architecture is independent of scale.” Sean Godsell

Studio: Sean Godsell architects

Project name: Kew Studio

Year: 2013

Location: Kew, Victoria, Australia

Typology: Studio

Project Team: Sean Godsell

Size and total area: 24 sqm

Photographer: Earl Carter