In line with DNA’s design ethos, the architecture incorporates elements such as shade louvres and trellises with thin aluminium extrusions to articulate the façade openings.
AV3 House sought its name after the first three letters of the client’s family members. The client reached out to us back in 2017 with a vision of his family home. Upon first look, the trapezoid-like formation of the site immediately presented itself to us as an opportunity rather than a setback.
The idea of ‘Function’ can be interpreted in different ways. This building acted as an exercise in allowing the site to compel the overall form of the building, essentially allowing us to explore ways we could respond to the needs of not just the family, but also the built landscape.
In this instance, we achieved this by offsetting either side of the building line from the boundary, resulting in two distinct projections. Here, the natural termination points of the left and the right projection also raised a unique opportunity. Rather than culminate in a severe point, we chose to instead soften the profile with a curved feature, yielding us a full-height curved glazing as the focal point of the house earmarked for a feature tree to be housed.
The entrance and drop-off area of the house was planned as a double-volume space, allowing for grandeur and spatial ambience in the entryway. The lofty space is punctuated by a linear feature of mechanical pivot screens that the client can open and close to suit the weather and site conditions.
Car parking spaces were lined along both sides of the house to maintain the visibility and continuity of the building frontage. As you move along the house, the left and right projections naturally widen up and lead into a sprawling living space, spilling onto exterior timber decking and soft landscaping punctuated by curving concrete profiles.
The ground floor serves as the hub for family activities, featuring a family area connected to a semi-outdoor koi pond. Upon entry to the house, dry kitchens are carefully positioned to face the lush landscape, allowing the client to enjoy the morning breakfast with a garden view. At the heart of the house sits a sculptural tree seemingly suspended within the koi pond. The well-lit formal living hall boasts a double volume, adorned with big windows that can be regulated by automatic roller blinds.
The upper floor is connected by a linear open riser steel staircase, guiding occupants to the shared area between two rectangular volumes. In between this space, a triple-volume void enclosed with curved glass acts as a focal point of the house, offering a view of the public park through aluminium pivot screens. Upstairs, one finds a study, two ensuite bedrooms, and a master ensuite, with the master bedroom cantilevered over an outdoor deck, providing shade for ground-floor outdoor activities.
In line with DNA’s design ethos, the architecture incorporates elements such as shade louvres and trellises with thin aluminium extrusions to articulate the façade openings. These features not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve practical functions, providing sunshades and privacy for the occupants.
