Box House

by Paul Tilse Architects

Box House by Paul Tilse Architects is an insight into how clever architectural design can be used to overcome the challenges presented by site constraints and a clients attachment to a former home, in the process proving the time honoured concept that less is in fact more.

Box House is located on a small corner block in Yarralumla, one of Canberra’s most historical suburbs. This modern home incorporates the use of recycled red brick as a deliberate design response to the 1950s style architecture present on the street, and the nearby Canberra Brickworks. Box House employs a simplistic form that combines materiality & detail to address the challenges and constraints of the site, ultimately resulting in a modern interpretation of a classical Canberra cottage.

At its core, Box House is the replacement of half of a two storey of a 1950s duplex in Yarralumla, a house which was demolished under the ACT Loose Asbestos Removal Program. Paul Tilse and his team were able to resolve the complex siting challenges, whilst appeasing the clients hesitation which stemmed from the loss of their previous home. Paul was able to convince the clients of the amazing architectural opportunity that was available to them through this unique project.

The terrace extension appears to float above the carefully contoured entrance leading to a basement garage. The placement of the entrance provides occupants with the perfect amount of distance from the home and the street, in order to encourage interaction without discomfort. Entering and moving through the house, further opportunities for generous engagement with the street are offered through the street facing kitchen window that provides carefully curated views of the Canberra landscape that lies outside the walls.

Clever planning, especially on the main level, allows modestly sized interior spaces to feel open and well connected with useable garden spaces. Flexibility in room uses and the high level of amenity provided in the 140m2 dwelling area offers valuable lessons for infill housing on challenging inner Canberra suburban sites.

In 2018 Box House by Paul Tilse Architects received the ACT Institute of Architects Award for Residential Architecture in the new houses category. This was justified reward for a home that had to overcome several challenging design limitations.