What happens if you take historic Adelaide housing and give it a modern, considered and environmentally conscious twist?
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Architects often talk about vernacular architecture. Like in linguistics, where vernacular is the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region, architectural vernacular is the style of building that has traditionally been built - particularly by non-architects. Yes, vernacular architecture is the architectural equivalent of 'G'day'. Unfortunately the Australian vernacular for housing has been largely imported from Europe, a building tradition that is not suited to the Australian climate or way of living. If you've ever seen an Englishman rip off his shirt and lay like a lizard in the sun on the first fine, double digit day of spring you'll understand how different our weather is.
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So, if you had the chance to rethink what a modern Australian house should look and feel like, what would you do? At 48 Carlisle, the appropriately named Sans-Arc Studio have designed a clean, light filled extension which uses passive design to work with our climate, rather than fight against it. And that sounds just as Australian as a friendly 'G'day' to me.
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Based on the brief, the architects designed an extension to house new kitchen, living and dining areas. The client fancied Scandinavian design, but wanted a home that fitted in with its context - an historical Adelaide neighbourhood.
"The biggest was challenge was to create something that looked ‘Australian’ while rectifying the old problem of Australian houses having poor environmental performance." - Sans-Arc Studio
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Rich, sustainably sourced Australian timbers have been used which will age and weather gracefully to blend into their surroundings. Galvanised Custom Orb it the other material of choice, a humble, yet ubiquitous Australian material. And while most Australians opt for a brick veneer construction, Sans-Arc have used reverse brick veneer to create a well-insulated home supplemented with hydronic-underfloor heating - the most physiologically comfortable form of heating. In Adelaide's hot summer, the gable roof can be opened up to vent the room, while drawing cool, fresh air from the South.
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Given the small block, the extension does a great job of connecting the home to the outdoors while simultaneously maintaining privacy on an exposed corner site. This connection to the outdoors is something that defines Australian homes, a vernacular adaptation that allows us to take advantage of comparatively good weather.
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"The project embraced the idea that a small budget didn’t mean an average outcome; instead it meant that there needed to be a priorities and efficiency." - Sans-Arc Studio
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If 48 Carlisle is an example of what Australian homes will look and feel like in the future, I think most of us will be happy to call Australia home. Comfortable, sustainably designed and perfect for the Australian lifestyle, we need more vernacular architecture that ticks these boxes.