Edgecliff Medical Centre for Autistic Children

At 150sqm, the project was modest in its footprint but sets a clear example of digitally fabricated interiors, and a prototype to see how these projects perform. In early conversations with the client, priorities were quickly realized: 3 radiating treatment rooms, a central reception area, lots of play spaces, soft furnishings like beanbags and excellent visibility - all of which contributed to the genesis for the ideas and space planning that followed.

Design sensitivity was imperative when considering the function of the space and very much influenced the final form. Having a clear understanding of the client’s needs on a day to day basis and moreover the needs of visiting patients, meant practical issues were also of high importance. The way in which the geometry circulates and unfolds not only promotes an atmosphere of calm, rest and relaxation but in severe circumstances, also prevents children from harming themselves on corners: where this space is concerned, right angles are most definitely the wrong angles. 

The partnership of light, optics lamp; colour also played a pivotal role in shaping the overall feel of the project. Indirect lighting was used to soften the space with cove lighting providing an additional calming effect. Colours play an important role in shaping our emotions and with this in mind, a fresh & neutral base pallet was chosen with bold colour injections interspersed throughout. Known for its healing properties, a fearless orange shade was chosen for the back feature wall. Soft furnishings complemented the colour scheme with playful Dinosaur design 

Existing condition 

Construction Phase

A "Parody in Parapets"

When local council in a heritage area insisted on a 'traditional aesthetic' house to replace the existing knockdown, Enter Architecture jumped to the challenge. Predominantly parapeted, pitched roof structures line the streets of these stuffy, parochial suburbs, where gossiping neighbours (mainly sun beaten British ex-pats) lurk round every corner. Ready to pounce at the very sniff of a new build, gossip columns are created, spreading faster than an Aussie bushfire! Enter downplayed the design of the new structure. Concrete shells with bunker-like proportions were studied and explored to provide a house with quirky proportions and lines creating spatially dramatic interiors, including lofted skylighted rooms, with grand gesture ceiling heights. The result at the back of the development is a large expanse of glass that opens up the living and sleeping areas to views towards the Sydney Cricket Ground, just incase there's a wicket taken. Rooftop access ensures skyline views of the CBD.

In with old and out with the new - Bungalow reinvented

Bungalow reinvented

Perspective View [front]


Perspective View [front]

Balcony Detail View

Perspective Night View

Axonometric [right]

Axonometric Elevation


Axonometric [left]


Elevation [front]

Axonometric Elevation

Elevation [side]

Exploded Axonometric

Proposed Floor Plan


Proposed Elevation [front]

Proposed Elevation [side]

Concept

Rather than tearing down a very run down Chinese bungalow from the 60s, the client chose to keep the remains and asked us to come up with a new roof, new deck and new external areas with additional windows and doors that would make the place more functional.
With references to masks, totems, tree like branching systems and native flora and fauna, we came up with an elaborate "cover up system" that would simply, add to the old remains of the house which would preserve the old and keep it intact. The steep roof allows the volcanic dust to run off, while the trellis provides new rigidity to the occasional shake up or 2 (the nearest volcano is less that 10km away.
As designers, we were so inspired by this brief and unusual premise that we wish to continue down the same road, and will keep going on the same line of thinking for future existing dwellings and structures.

Existing Conditions