DESIGN NAME: Armadale Residence
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Residential House
INSPIRATION: The home represents a new paradigm for inner urban living on a relatively small block of land which is beautifully situated on a mature park. It is a remarkable response to the architect’s own brief that every aspect of the design and the interiors facilitate an extraordinary quality of living, respectful of every occupant’s needs and desires. The well-being of the occupants and the provision for their enjoyment of this home and the nature that surrounds it is beautifully realized.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Armadale Residence epitomizes innovation in its transformation of former warehouse space into a five-bedroom family home – a new achievement in high density, urban living. It creates a new standard for great living with the utmost regard for its inhabitant’s well-being and happiness.
This home, the architect’s own home, is the ultimate expression of RMA’s ability to integrate architecture with interiors. Three generations of the same family live here.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: A new family provided the catalyst to undertake change and create the synthesis of architecture and interior design for a remarkable home accommodating three generations. Armadale Residence is a sensual, highly crafted, precisely considered home. The fusion of great design with extraordinary innovation in building technologies and sustainable design for well-being is an expression of the architect’s philosophy, showcasing a design for great living.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The documentation process for the Armadale Residence project commenced in late April 2015 and finished in November 2018. Throughout this phase, our team meticulously planned and executed the project, ensuring compliance with local building codes and regulations while capturing the unique essence of the Armadale suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: In Armadale Residence, architecture and interior design are integrated to a high level precisely because they are the work of architect as client. Armadale Residence could not have been achieved without the continuing collaboration of all of the architect’s trusted construction partners. The use of such traditional materials in a rigorously contemporary way is a hallmark of the architect’s approach. Render, stonework, brass and joinery reflects the master craftsmanship developed over years of working together with extraordinary artisans of the trade.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The placement of the main living area on the first level resulted in 3.4 metre ceilings and ensured a complete physical and visual bond with the park beyond. A remarkable refuge called the winter room relies on richly finished timber panels and heavily recessed windows, providing a space for retreat. Bedrooms and an expansive master suite on the upper floor allows parents to be separate yet present. There is a serene sense of luxe achieved through precise selection of materials and mastery of how these materials interact to heighten the sense of calm and establish the character of the home.
TAGS: Contemporary, Sustainability, Open Plan, Adaptive reuse, Natural light, Industrial aesthetic
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Armadale Residence reflects Rob Mills’ belief that the creation of the family home is linked to the foundation of a legacy for the future. That legacy today comprises this home being the focus of family experience and the catalyst for the fulfilment of the occupant’s desire to live well. This home is built to endure and to become a legacy for the architect’s children. It sustains an extended family and facilitates their interaction. Technically, Armadale Residence features the management of ventilation and light which are critical to the home’s reduced energy requirements for heating and cooling. The continual preoccupation with the occupant’s well-being through the provision of private and collective space, the management of sound and the provision for psychological well-being in both the design and the features of the house are part of a broader sustainability strategy that reflects the fundamental principles of the RMA practice.
CHALLENGE: Managing natural and artificial light, orientation and ventilation were critical. This minimised the need for heating and cooling, enhancing the occupant’s comfort despite all of Melbourne’s climactic eccentricities. Attention to the acoustic properties of the concrete slab and masonry walls, combine with effective insulation and engineered glazing to create an inner sanctuary where the occupants can celebrate silence and hear the sounds of nature from the adjacent parklands. A remarkable, unique water course running from the exterior through the interior delights everyone who lives here, but also actively contributes to their psychological health and mindfulness.
ADDED DATE: 2023-06-28 01:47:28
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Creative Director: Rob Mills
IMAGE CREDITS: Main Image: Photographer Mark Roper, 2018.
Image #1: Photographer Mark Roper, 2018.
Image #2: Photographer Mark Roper, 2018.
Image #3: Photographer Mark Roper, 2018.
Image #4: Photographer Mark Roper, 2018.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors, 2018
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