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There’s a general philosophical approach and
of course the commonly observed pragmatic approach
to such projects.
There’s a pragmatic approach to looking at developments
such as this. I really come at it from the point of view that
I’m designing for a house that I’d want to live in. That’s the
end of the story. I look for amenity. I look for sources of
natural light. I look for cross ventilation. I look for features.
I look for a sense of play, a sense of arrival.
And the representation of the design is surely important?
Yes, there’s theatre of architecture. Obviously, within
a budget, that’s another consideration. Generally, it boils
down to, at the end of the day, what would I be happy
coming home to, and what would I be happy raising
my children in.
For many architects site is one of the great drivers of
their design. In a suburban setting, it becomes a little
trickier. You’ve got to consider the interior amenity
as much as the outward amenity and opportunity.
How do you balance all that on such a site?
Site and the site context are among the most
fundamental things you have to deal with. Particularly
in this sort of suburban setting and urban environment
where everyone is virtually on top of each other.
I take the viewpoint that a building has to be a good
neighbour. And you have to be a good neighbour.
Inward, outward amenity, all these considerations come
into the play. Are you looking at someone’s swimming
pool? Do you want to be looking at someone’s swimming
pool? Do you want them looking at your swimming pool?