The addition to the Charred Wood house was conceived as a contemporary companion to the existing red brick post war structure. The replication of the pitched roof to the first floor and its resultant extruded gable form are recognizable abstractions of the existing.
Project Name: Charred Wood House
Studio Name: Jane Riddell Architects
Project size: 280 m2
Site size: 956 m2
Completion date: 2018
Building levels: 2
Location: Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
Photography: Tom Roe
As a counterpoint to the solidity of the clinker brick of the original house, the addition is light weight and clad at the upper floor in charred timber. The charred timber cladding embeds the house in the woodland.
The striking ebony hue of the cladding contrasts with the verdant green of the surrounding and living, leafy canopies. The durability, and low maintenance qualities of the selected external raw material make it both a complimentary and a sustainable choice for the harsh Australian climate.
The underlying principal was to create a place of engagement – people to people and built form to environment. Modern volumes and finish, complementary and well paired form contribute to longevity in use and livability.
