Language of the new

Designing within an existing streetscape is important for any architect working in an urban environment, especially when the immediate vicinity is dominated by heritage architecture and the site sits within a historic conservation zone.

That's the view of architect Louis Kanellos, who designed this home in the St Peters suburb of Adelaide as an exhibition home for developer Chasecrown Living.

"My immediate impression of the suburb was of its formality the gridded street layout, the street planting and the homes themselves," he says.

The architect wanted to continue that sense of formal symmetry, while designing a home more suitable for today's homeowner, for whom indoor-outdoor living and environmental impact are important considerations.

Kanellos created a sense of arrival for the single-storey home, with a pair of cantilevered benches and a large pivot door of western red cedar. The home is designed around four pavilions, with concealed sliding panels allowing easy access between each space and to the outdoor pool and deck. A wine cellar under the triple garage has a wine rack that will hold more than 5000 bottles.

Internally, a sense of spaciousness is created through 4m-high ceilings, skylights and windows that extend from the floor to the ceiling.

"This creates a feeling of open space within the home that segues into outdoor areas designed for entertainment and relaxation," he says.

The home is site-specific designed, which minimises the home's environmental footprint, says Chasecrown's Steve Testar.

"Sustainable features include extended eaves, to reduce solar gain in the summer and allow the winter rays to penetrate the house. Double hung sash windows introduce cooling cross currents of air and increase energy efficiency," he says.

The Chasecrown Living team of architects, interior designers, project managers and builders works to design and build a home that meets the needs of each homeowner, as well as each site.

"Traditionally, the choice between architect-designed and project-built homes has left a gap. Our approach is to combine the approaches, so that individuality is provided at a fixed cost," says Testar.

For details, contact Chasecrown Living, 109A Archer Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006, phone (08) 8267 4966, fax (08) 8267 2114. Email: mail@chasecrown.com.au, or visit the website: www.chasecrownliving.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas