Knott Black Pty Ltd

Enclave House

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative

ENCLAVE HOUSE

BKK Architects

ARCHITECTS
BKK Architects

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Houses 

YEAR
2010

AREA
509.0 m²

Text description provided by architect.

This project has been undertaken for a couple and their children of varying ages. It includes alterations to an existing Edwardian House and a new separate studio to the rear of the site.

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative
Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative

The house is designed so that the spaces within and around the house will be adaptable over time to suit the changing needs of the family.

The possibility for the studio space to be converted into an office has been considered as has the basement entertainment area conversion into a gym or multi-purpose play room. A central courtyard contains a pool and landscaped areas.

The environmental initiatives for the project can be summarized as follows;
There is a 25,000lt underground rain water harvesting tank.
Double glazed windows throughout.
Highly insulated walls floors and roof.
Locally resourced, sustainable, plantation timber cladding.

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative
Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative
Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative

Materials that are low-maintenance with inherent finishes.
Low-VOC materials.
Highly water efficient fixtures and fittings.
The existing residence has been retained and restored.
The planning and construction is designed to be highly adaptable.

Formally, the extension at the rear of the existing residence is conceived through a subtractive approach that appears to have been carved from a solid block, chiseled away to cater to the planning/heritage overlays, whilst also drawing light back into the residence.

Deep reveals form the windows to the upper floor to protect the gaze from the surrounding residences.

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative
Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative

An interior lightwell and water feature extend the garden space to the centre of the living spaces.

The garden has also been carefully crafted to create its own secret garden, complete with designer cubby house.

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative
Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative

There is an overwhelming sense of seclusion in both the house and garden that creates a type of space that is the family’s own, a retreat from busy lives and the surrounding chaos.

The fabric of the building/s operates like a protective cocoon.  

The differing materiality of the two levels of the extensions creates the impression that the house has been capped or that a ‘helmet’ is placed upon the exterior walls.

Enclave House
© John Wheatley – UA Creative


Enclave House
First Floor Plan
Enclave House
Second Floor Plan


Enclave House
Sections

Knott Black Pty Ltd
T +61 3 96714555
Knott Black Pty Ltd
6/114 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia