Russell Lea studio

A self-contained studio/secondary dwelling/granny flat.

"With a simple skillion roof, steel roof sheeting for cladding, and a prosaic but careful composition, the building does not seek to overstate its claim. The use of a single external material' deep grey Colorbond cladding- on the roof and walls gives the building a clear, singular presence. A similar presence is achieved internally by the extensive use of white surfaces.

The original house featured a collection of dysfunctional outbuildings and a swimming pool, and despite the generous site did not offer much in the way of garden space. The redundant pool has been filled in and turned into a garden, and the existing outbuildings have been replaced by the new house. The internal organisation of the new house is spatially thoughtful and simple. On the ground floor, the entry into a double-height living space creates an immediate verticality, and allows a view into the shared garden space, The new house acts as a retaining wall, resolving the level changes across the site adn creating a clear edge between garden and house.

The open living space of this one-bedroom house features a kitchen 'wall,' with bathroom and laundry behind. An internal garage accessed from either the street or inside can be used as a home office or additional bedroom. Externally, screens can be opened or closed to the shared garden space, moderating levels of connection and privacy as needed. This is a street house- the zero setback to the footpath demands an architecture of its context."

Stuart Harrison, 'Forty-Six Square Meters of Land Doesn't' Normally Become a House," Thames & Hudson, 2011.