A Meeting of Minds and of Architectural Styles - The Ridgeway House by Ha Architecture

As a result of the extensive information gained through this initial feasibility, and the insight provided by Steve who had lived with his family in the original house for many years, the decision was made to site the project hard up against the eastern boundary and orient the extension to the north-west. While this was somewhat counterintuitive, Nick says, the architects’ shared trust ensured they were both confident in the siting and orientation.

Key to this decision was the imperative contained in the brief to keep the building footprint compact so as not to encroach on the rear yard while maximising and controlling solar access. “This required some ingenuity to ensure the spaces worked well and felt expansive,” says Nick. “With a contained floorplan, a void is integral to create added dimension across all spaces. Across the two levels, the void allows natural light to be the focus of the design, making an otherwise conventional extension with a small footprint feel generous and experiential.”

With the void providing borrowed space and light, the house is comprised of a series of flexible and connected spaces, both internally and between the indoors and outdoors. “The connection between inside and outside allows the rear yard to be used continuously whilst the sequence of steps down through the house has created a strong visual relationship between multiple living situations,” Nick explains. “This works particularly well for parents and kids having their own space, while not feeling segregated.”

Operable timber batten screens further enhance and mediate the connection between indoors and outdoors, while contributing a detailed design language to the otherwise restrained interior. With the north-west orientation providing good solar access, the batten screens provide control over light, allowing the house to be tailored over the day to suit multiple modes. “We did not envisage the beauty of the living room with all screens closed and windows open (allowing for breezes through the house in warmer weather) until the project was completed and the client had moved in,” Nick recalls. “It was a beautiful moment when this unfolded and we realised this additional mode the space offered.”