Hi All,
We have been getting quite a few enquiries about semi-rural sites lately. In light of this we’ll be posting up some projects which offer different approaches to occupying the landscape. Toowoomba and the surrounding areas offer a unique mix of sites from the challenging steeper urban sites which overlook the escarpment to the semi-rural sites which offer longer views of the horizon, the peaks and valleys. These type of sites need an architecture which respond to the unique conditions of the site; taking advantage of the opportunities and putting in mechanisms to deal with the constraints.
The image below was taken by Chris Bligh whilst I worked at Bligh Graham Architects. This was a photo of one of the existing structures on site in Samford and represents a site specific response to navigating the exposed environmental conditions. We can learn alot from images like this and other buildings around the site. This crude screening to the shed promotes ventilation, offers shade to the facade which will cool the building slightly and the angled fins/battens will shed unwanted water. Its obviously not completely weather tight but that is also not its intent.
This screen was adapted and incorporated into the design of the new home. Opening up in certain sections to promote views of the landscape and closing down to protect the home from the harsh elements.
B
