Connected House presented a unique challenge for Albert Mo, unlike any other project he had done previously, as it involved designing an architects own home. Upon first arriving at the property, Albert was greeted with a dilapidated structure that had undergone uncaring renovations in the past. However, as he entered and ascended the stairs, he was met with a breathtaking view that instantly convinced him that this was the perfect home for him and his young family.

Located in Kew, Victoria, Connected House stands as an architects own home, seamlessly blending into the lush surroundings. As seen in the house tour, the architects own home incorporates experimental designs dating back to the 1950s and ‘60s, reflecting the architect’s connection to both history and the environment. With a focus on sustainable design for future generations, Albert has reduced the home’s footprint while electrifying all its components, from appliances to air conditioning, and balancing energy consumption with a solar panel system.

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Central to the design of the architects own home was fostering connections. This notion is evident in the upstairs extension of the home, created as a dedicated space for the children. Serving dual purposes, this new addition functions as a rumpus room where the family can gather, imbuing the feeling of residing in a tree house. However, the most intriguing aspect lies in how the rumpus room integrates with the backyard and the front of the house: via a drawbridge, which is operated by a hand crank mechanism. It effortlessly lowers to link the rumpus room with the backyard, as seen in the house tour. This unique design element not only allows for immediate access to the outdoors but establishes a connection between the interior and exterior.

On the opposite side are a set of bi-fold doors, which, when opened, form a balcony, unveiling views of the courtyard and surrounding trees. At the heart of the design of an architects own home lies the idea of fostering connections, whether physical or visual. The courtyard is strategically positioned at the centre of the home to link with various exterior spaces. Additionally, upon opening the bi-fold doors and sliding doors, the courtyard serves as an additional layer of connection, bridging the gap between rooms, including the living, kitchen and bedrooms.

The upstairs area feels like a warehouse due to its rawness and minimalistic aesthetic. This industrial feeling continues downstairs, where materials like raw steel, glass panes, plywood surfaces, rustic barn doors, brick and concrete further reinforce this. However, to infuse warmth into the interior design of the home, plywood is utilised, spanning from floor to ceiling. In choosing materials and finishes, Albert draws inspiration from his Asian heritage and his affinity for modernist Japanese design principles. This influence can be seen in the bathroom and private spaces of an architects own home. Particularly, the bathroom features a wooden bathtub, Japanese tiles and grass cloth wallpaper – all of which were selected by Albert. Connected House by Albert Mo is an architects own home that embraces traditional Japanese aesthetics, connection and heritage.

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00:00 – Introduction to the Architects Own Family Home
01:12 – The Experimental Location
01:59 – Connecting to the Landscape
02:35 – Key Themes of the Home
03:23 – The Raw Material Palette
03:58 – Honouring The Families Heritage
04:45 – A Focus On Sustainability
05:34 – Emulating A Tree House

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Photography by Derek Swalwell.
Architecture and interior design by Albert Mo.
Build by Block Constructions.
Landscape architecture by Mud Office.
Landscape contracting by Mode Landscaping.
Structural engineering by Ipsum Structures.
Joinery by Marant Industries.
Filmed by Derek Swalwell.
Edited by Harrison Moss.
Production by The Local Production.

Location: Kew, Victoria, Australia

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

#Architects #Home #Family

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House LV1 (house nanchi 1 y 2)

CASA LV1 (casa nanchi 1 y 2)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION
The Casa LV1 (casa nanchi 1 and 2), is a multi-familiar conformed by two houses constructed in the same land, the main material used for its construction was white striated concrete.
DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY
The Casa LV1 (casa nanchi 1 and 2) is a complex of two houses designed for a family an elderly couple, their young daughter and their granddaughter. Each house has the necessary privacy for each development, with the interrelationship and coexistence of the family; they are located in an irregular diamond-shaped land of approximately 250m2, a gradient over 10% with a view to the southeast.
The Casa nanchi 1, on its main floor has: living room, dinning room, kitchen, bathroom, main bedroom with closet and its own bathroom, this floor is directly connected with the service area; the lower floor has a hall, two bedrooms with closet and its own bathroom; the upper floor has a roofed recreation room and a garden terrace. All the floors are connected by a stair, and has a parking lot. The total constructed surface is of 160 m2.
The Casa nanchi 2 has on its main floor: living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and service area; on the upper floor it has: main bedroom with closet and its own bathroom, an additional bedroom with closet, a little play room and a bathroom; on the lower floor, where the entrance is, has: two parking lots and an exterior stair which is connected to the other floors. The total constructed surface of the house is 145 m2 excluding parking lots.
Both houses share main entrance, service yard, green spaces and services.
The houses are named after the nanchi tree (byrosonimacrassifolia) that is located in that land; it was respected and the project was adapted around it, to make it a natural decoration for the dinning room of the Casa nanchi 1. This house was designed for an elderly couple and it has a terrace in the upper floor, which is a recreational and relaxing space with a view of the surroundings to enjoy with the company of family, friends and guests. It has a double-height space which allows the development of the tree.
The design of the Casa nanchi 2, which was designed for the daughter and granddaughter of the family, is inspired in the Brno chair, designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van ser Rohe, which not only allows a large volume, but also an efficient and free structural principle because with this solution is obtained an overhang of 4.85 m with a support of 2.85 m, generating a space without any support under the construction.
The concept of the houses is derogates no only from the connection (interior-familiar, exterior-landscape), but also from the visual freedom that people perceive before entering in the house and also in the interior of them. This is fulfilled by the volumetric integration that defined the spaces of each house, both prisms have specific substractions that allow a formal integration of the two elements; in the Casa nanchi 1 the terrace is subtracted and in the Casa nanchi 2 the parking area is subtracted, transforming both elements without losing its integrity.
The connection of both houses is so important that is not only achieved materially with the union of the two architectonic objects from the common entrance, connotating the link of the family, but also with the landscape, through the transparency in the facade of the two houses, which creates a visual freedom for the inhabitants. This gives a greater illumination of the spaces, producing a feeling of spaciousness and allows the air circulation due to the large windows that are handled by the users.
The material, white striated exposed concrete and stone dust of the region, recalls the honesty of the materials, this simplicity benefits the environment, because it doesn’t use coatings in walls, fooors or roofs, contributing the less possible to the pollution. The exposed finishes means less production, transportation and utilization of pollutant materials. As said before, the free circulation of air allows a constant cleaning of the interior air which allows a natural regulation of the temperature, achieving termic comfort for the users and reducing the use of electronic devices that cools artificially the place. Besides, the same large windows avoid the unnecessary use of artificial illumination during the day allowing the entrance of sunlight in the morning.