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Is that flexibility the key?
Yes, absolutely. One of the main requirements was
to have the kitchen, living and dining quarters all on
one level. That was the main framework and where
we started planning. Downstairs has massive room
for flexibility. The open-plan scenario and spatial
flow throughout is definitely part of that flexibility.
There’s a huge scope for user control. It’s all about
occupant control where you can adjust and have
the whole open, completely closed, or fine-tuned
depending upon the weather and sunlight.
Do they bother with that level of adjustment?
Some people prefer to set the climate control
and forget any manual operation.
The owners’ actively operate those doors and
windows. They’re always changing them.
I remember one really hot, humid summer’s
day and they were adjusting all of the openings
to get a breeze through the house. Suddenly
it was as if we were outside. Those operable,
sliding windows allow you to do that. They are
very against flicking a switch and cutting off
from the outside world.
There is an overall absence of weightiness – even
with the roof, but also connecting with some quite
specific views to the escarpment for instance.
I wanted the roof to be a non-event and to hover
above the house. Everywhere you are in the house
means there is always a reference to the sky, ridge
or trees. That occurs downstairs, not to quite the
same effect, but you still see those key features.
How difficult is it to design in a way that celebrates
the setting with so much glass, yet doesn’t really
sacrifice the energy management and practical
functions?
The beauty of ComfortPlusTM is the way it helps
to deal with direct and reflected thermal loads.
In winter it allows the house to warm from the
low sunlight. ComfortPlusTM allowed such an
extensive use of glass and with such obvious
benefits around daylight and views. Viridian clear
toughened balustrades internally and around the
pool continue that language of transparency.