Room11 Architects

D’Entrecasteaux House

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

D’ENTRECASTEAUX HOUSE

Room11 Architects

CATEGORY
Houses

LOCATION
Kingborough Council, Australia

AREA
220 m²

YEAR
2016

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ben Hosking

MANUFACTURERS
Bespoke, Dolerite, Tas Oak

OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Peter Guiver Stonemason

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

Bruny Island sits across the narrow D’entrecasteaux Channel which separates it from the Tasmanian mainland. Accessible only by boat, Bruny is a remote and beautiful landscape.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

The island is a traditional holiday destination for Hobartions and is increasingly becoming an international destination for more discerning cool climate connoisseurs.

Our clients, a professional couple, approached us after purchasing the land with a view to building a permanent residence.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

With family members owing adjacent properties, our clients was intently aware of the need for the architecture to reconcile the need to orient for light and view, but also provide protection from offshore winds and glare from the expansive water plane.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

Replete with devastating panoramas, the site was nonetheless exposed.Winds buffet the angled terrain and the glorious light is at times too demanding for the eyes.

In parallel to this physical need for protection, the remote location brought a psychological need.The home had to provide a reassuringly solid and contained presence, company for a remote and beautiful existence.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

These two factors led to a dialogue about security, permanence and belonging.Tasmania is notable, in geological terms, for its Dolerite, which is around 180 million years old.

Our clients are a family including two geologists and therefore stonework fitted well with our architectural inclinations and the families’ professional interests.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

The resulting high stone walled outer skin, and a light, taut, timber interior, contain the traditional functions of a home.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

These contrasting built elements satisfy both the physical and psychological need that the location demands of the architecture.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

The modest house employs an inflected non-orthogonal plan where massive stone walls encompass light timber-lined living spaces.

The black stained timber interior provides relief from the blisteringly bright Tasmanian light and projects the occupant into the landscape beyond. Large sliding timber doors open to the northern light and a large deck which overlooks the channel and mountain range beyond.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

Service functions are wrapped up in shiny black boxes. The kitchen island bench sits as a crisp blunt monolith. Black bathrooms feature generous skylights and full height tiling.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

Full width mirrors double the perceived space of these carefully designed interior volumes. Bespoke glazing details are used throughout the residence.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking
D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking

Double-glazed argon gas units provide thermal performance commiserate with the cool temperate climate.

The house harvests rainwater and recycles wastewater onsite. D’Entrecasteaux House has a simple pallet, dark within a pale stone exterior. The orientation of face-fixed bespoke glazing focuses attention upon specific elements of the landscape, providing an opportunity for repose.

D’Entrecasteaux House
© Ben Hosking


D’Entrecasteaux House
Floor Plan

Room11 Architects
T +61 3 62248642
Room11 Architects
358B Macquarie St, South Hobart TAS 7004, Australia