Twig House
Leeton Pointon Architects + Interiors
ARCHITECTS
Leeton Pointon Architects + Interiors
ARCHITECT
Kate Pointon
ARCHITECT
Stacy Ambelas
BUILDER
Len Bogatin
DIRECTOR
Allison Pye
DIRECTOR
Ian Flanders
DIRECTOR
Alistair Guss
DIRECTOR
Simon Cox
DIRECTR
Kate Cullity
DIRECTOR
Jess Perry
DIRECTOR
David Broad
DIRECTOR
Michael Leeton
DIRECTOR
Shane Leonard
PHOTOGRAPHER
Earl Carter
PHOTOGRAPHER
Lisa Cohen
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2018
LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia
CATEGORY
Residential › Private House
Twig house was conceived as a sculpture – melding architecture, interior and landscape into one. The curved, off-form concrete front wall, devoid of architectural embellishment, rises gently out of the landscape, shielding the building mass concealed behind.
The arch reveals an opaque glass veiled entry, and glimpses of the scalloped slate roof hint to what lies beyond. Twig house is a careful composition of positive and negative layered spaces where the whole building is never fully revealed.
A pair of gently curved, concrete towers are the foundation of the house. They sit autonomously within the building and are expressed with tapered edges, as if weathered over time. A sense of archeology is expressed in their elemental monumentality.
Inside they remain nurturing and tranquil. The towers underpin the zoning of the house and the unadorned concrete provides solidity and timelessness.
The monumentality of the built form is balanced with soft dappled light, curved forms, polished plaster walls, sheer curtains, acoustic treatments, oak ceilings and eucalyptus twig screens. he building is purposefully restrained to provide a calming sense of balance and refuge, whilst supporting the fluid ebb and flow of modern family life. Everyday spaces are intimately scaled and contained; connected by secret stairs. Further layering of spaces allows extended family gatherings.
A sense of restraint & calm prevails.Sustainability is seamless within the building. Passive ventilation, acoustic and thermal insulation, concealed solar panels, underground water tanks and thermal massing are all integrated, yet remain unseen.
The openly collaborative approach of Architect, Interior Designer and Builder, and the early involvement of the extended consultant team resulted in an unprecedented level of refined detail, care and consideration.
The result is an uncompromised and enduring family home. Tactile materiality explores fluidity of form and light, enclosure and expansiveness.