The brick warehouse form below with Spanish-inspired cantilever pool element and hanging plants above..

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

A new beach house in place of a much-loved family bach means this site is steeped in memories – the challenge of sweeping out the old and carefully crafting the new.

Vivienda unifamiliar entre medianeras en Badalona.

Corrado Piccoli

Jouant avec les reflets de lumière, la nouvelle peau de zinc Azengar de cette maison traditionnelle initie un dialogue subtil avec son environnement, et lui donne un second souffle. À l’occasion de travaux de rénovation énergétique et de surélévation, le choix de ce matériau est rapidement apparu comme une évidence. À la fois noble et pérenne, utilisable aussi bien en bardage qu’en toiture, l’exploitation de son potentiel a permis un traitement fin des détails de retournement pour créer une enveloppe continue, comme un écrin. La teinte Azengar, douce et naturelle, en plus de réfléchir le contexte, est sensible aux variations d’ambiances et change légèrement de coloration au gré des conditions météorologiques. L’étage est entièrement isolé par l’extérieur, et la modification de charpente côté Nord dégage un nouvel espace, qui est totalement réaménagé. Ce dernier est redivisé en deux parties : la plus importante fait office de salle multimédia (pour le sport, les jeux et l’installation d’un home cinema), tandis que l’autre est transformée en une chambre d'amis d'environ 17 m². Plus qu’une simple séparation, l’élément épais qui les délimite est un véritable meuble intelligent : intégrant tantôt des étagères, tantôt une kitchenette, l’accès à la salle-de-bains ou encore des placards, il répond à de nombreuses fonctions, toutes regroupées en un unique bloc sculpté par les usages. Bien identifiable, en pin maritime contreplaqué, il structure l’espace et lui donne une atmosphère chaleureuse. Afin de rendre l’accès à la chambre d’ami indépendant, un escalier extérieur en métal à deux volées est créé dans le prolongement de l’escalier existant en béton. Orientés plein Sud sur la rue, les panneaux photovoltaïques et les grands Velux exploitent au maximum les apports solaires. Côté jardin au Nord, un ensemble de fenêtres fixes et coulissantes en aluminium occupe quant-à-lui toute la largeur de la partie surélevée, offrant au regard la contemplation d’un paysage boisé.

Designed to sit in a good position to take in the vast landscape scenery of the Thames area.

This special and unique house really needed something special to tie the landscaping in with the house. Our Design team worked closely with our client to produce a beautifully aesthetic masterpiece.

Particolare della facciata. Le arcate interrotte strutturano anche gli spazi interni e li prolungano nel retrostante giardino. Foto: Giovanni Scopece

The clever roof structure gave the extension a wonderful sense of internal volume as well as bringing light deeper into the dining room area.

We had worked with the client, a self builder on speculative development projects in the past. When the chance arose to help him create a new home for his own family overlooking Poole Harbour we were delighted to help. The house uses a contemporary language under a deep traditional roof which allowed us to gain permission for a modern, 4 bedroom, 2 storey home on a site surrounded by bungalows. The generosity of glazing floods the accommodation with light and allows superb views into the harbour. Efficient and intelligent use of all the space available allowed us to transform a tight bungalow on a cramped, sloping plot into a spacious house with beautiful roomy gardens.

photographie JULIEN CLAPOT architecte Arba/architecture interieure Marguerite Bouvier architecteJean-Batiste barache et Slihem Lamine

Mark Hazeldine

Shannon McGrath