Hastings St

The Client wanted a modern accessory structure to serve as a hang out and hobby space. The specific design requirements included lots of windows and connection with the exterior, a storage space, and flexible usage (open planning). The site itself is an unusually dimensioned area at the rear of a trapezoidal lot, bounded by the existing fence and pool. Some preliminary ideas were generated based on an initial list of design requirements and preliminary ideas.

The Client also provided some reference projects for material culture and general aesthetics. The references in comparison looked a little less flat than some of the initial exercises, so we pushed and pulled the surfaces in and out a little to develop some surface complexity which also reflected the changing use of the inner function. We also emphasized the roof plane and the floor plane to encourage a ‘floating’ appearence.

We also conducted some site sections to evaluate the building height and the finish floor elevations. There is roof for development between the existing rear of the home and the new accessory structure.

Ultimately we found the Client wanted not only connection with the exterior space, but also wanted an exterior workspace to be of equal weight as the enclosed space itself. Therefore we developed a new scheme, with the client’s inpu,t to open the middle of the building. We think this spatial planning is reminiscent of a “Modern Dogtrot”, where the center acts as a breezeway.

There are still some Items to Iron out in Schematic Design, but this iteration is very close to the design the Client will approve prior to proceeding to Construction Documents.