Beckman House
2006 RAIA Commendation
(Brisbane Region)
Queensland Center for Subtropic Design Commendation 2007
This innovative small lot house is located on a steep site in Clayfield, Brisbane. The site was previously a 900sqm allotment with a single residence. The original house was removed and the land subdivided for redevelopment. Our approach was to minimise excavation while maximising height to realise the great views to Moreton Bay. The constraints of the City Plan-Small Lot Code prompted the architects to investigate a stepped section that rises with the contours of the land. The house has seven separate levels with two main stair locations. Vistas between half levels and high volumes at stairs create many varied spaces within the house.
The house also adopts a passive environmentally sustainable approach. The one room thickness principle has been adopted to promote good ventilation and to take advantage of natural light. An upper level deck cantilevers over a swimming pool creating a dramatic effect. Lightweight cladding materials such as fibrous cement, polished pacific maple ply, zincalume custom orb and mini orb have been used. Other raw materials such as polished coloured concrete, stainless steel and polished timber and used internally and externally. This is a house designed for Queensland’s sub-tropical climate and tighter knit urban living. The house has a variety of living spaces, both formal and informal, to suit children and adult members of the family. All rooms are north facing with cross ventilation.
Biscoe Wilson Architects are specialists in Residential design. This significant piece of Brisbane Architecture is an exemplar of lightweight ESD architecture. The project also demonstrates how density can be achieved on steep small lots in an inner suburban location.
Architectural Team| Robert Biscoe, Marion Wilson, Jaime Weber
Builder| David Beckman and Nathan Henderson
Structural Engineer| Farr Engineers
Private Certifier| Building Surveying Professionals
Photographer| Aperture Architectural Photography