The design had to address significant environmental constraints and in particular protection from the real threat of bush fire.  Presenting a buffer to the bush needed to be balanced by opening the house to the natural setting and providing solar access.  A practical consideration was the ability to stage the project, with the main living areas and master bedroom suite constructed first, followed by a separate wing containing studies, library and the gallery.  This resulted in the dwelling being constructed in ‘wings’, each with their own identity and scale, linked to the main living pavilion.

The interior design features wooden floors, exposed timber trusses and crafted plywood ceilings complemented by bagged brickwork finished with richly coloured cement based paint.  Raking ceilings with high-level glazing allow natural light to penetrate the home, while providing views through the tree canopy to glimpses of sky.  The satisfied owners now have a retreat that makes the idea of retirement look increasingly attractive!

Corb, as he became known, also claimed “Architecture goes beyond utilitarian needs… the business of Architecture is to establish emotional relationships by means of raw materials.”  He was an architect with vision, a forerunner of ‘the modern movement’, rebelling against the favoured ornate styles of the time.  He saw how well designed buildings could influence emotions suggesting, …”suppose that walls rise towards heaven in such a way that I am moved.  I perceive your intentions.  Your mood has been gentle, brutal, charming or noble.  The stones you have erected tell me so.”

Steven Bayer, a Director of Architects Edmiston Jones, designs space and buildings guided by Corb’s principles, considering planning with volume; the penetration of light with views; mass with texture and surface.  As we get caught up with tedious codes and regulations dictated by an increasing array of authorities requiring the management of a plethora of specialist consultants we need to be reminded of Corb’s vision.

The challenges were overcome and the site presented the perfect opportunity to fulfil the owner’s vision for high quality residential units taking maximum advantage of the exceptional location.  The buildings were resolved as two ‘wings’ splayed to frame a landscaped entry court with a bbq, play area and pool.  Basement parking allowed the visual impact of garages to be eliminated and created a pedestrian friendly streetscape.

The articulation of the building form provides balconies to the 32 units with maximum privacy that benefit from the various views.  A discreet palette of materials with lightweight cladding complementing rendered and face brickwork gives further emphasis to the modulation of the façade.  The buildings are capped by sweeping monopitch roofs – a nod to the early vernacular buildings of this coastal village.

The developer, Tony Borg, summarised the project saying he achieved, “a sensible design, maximising the use of the site” with “innovation and creativity”.  His experience with AEJ was, “a company that cares about their clients needs and give real value for money with great design outcomes”.

Luis Mansilla, an architect based in Madrid, sees architecture as “a game in which the client can play”.  He talks of having a system but leaving room for surprise.  Teresa Moller, Brazilian Landscape Architect, talks of “finding the treasure of each place, uncovering what is already there”.  Implicit in this idea is the tension between a rational deductive process, the treasure hunt, and willful inspiration, the ability to see the treasure.

Architects are faced with many obstacles in taking on the ‘game’.  Boyd’s description of some of the pieces of the puzzle – the budget, legal restrictions, building regulations, town-planning considerations – are still relevant today, nearly 50 years on.  However, we can take encouragement from Luis Mansilla’s enlightened mantra that, “while not everything is possible …. the possibilities are endless”.

Edmiston Jones understand that what sets us apart is our ability to solve our client’s puzzle, whatever that may be.  It is our skill to collaboratively synthesize information with innovation and intelligence so that we uncover the treasure  -  that is often already there!

Architects Edmiston Jones had the privilege of working with University of Wollongong students on their submission into an international competition for energy efficient housing to be assessed under 10 criteria, a solar decathalon.  The design philosophy put forward in the Solar Decathalon submission was captured in a quote by Carl Elfante, “the greenest building is the one already built”.  Mark Jones and AEJ staff worked with UOW students to develop a design concept based on a brief: the retrofitting of a typical three-bedroom fibro clad cottage for a retired couple down-sizing their accommodation.

The University prepared a submission to the United States and a parallel competition in China.  The good news is that the UoW/TAFE team won a place in both countries!  Faced with the dilemma of choosing which competition to join, the UoW selected China as the appropriate opportunity for our region and the University.

The project resonated strongly with Architects Edmiston Jones.  Their longstanding interest in the adaptive reuse, and retrofitting of buildings as an environmentally sustainable solution, is evidenced by the firm’s own offices.  The Wollongong office started life as a scout hall, while the Nowra office is a converted engineering parts shop.  AEJ live by the design precept of seeking to minimise the use of limited resources (see previous posting).

Unfortunately, Ellyard’s tenet is largely disregarded today with the easy default to ‘high tech’ solutions – albeit with a slightly less heavy hand.  The time and intelligence required to design the precise quantity/volume/mass; carefully positioned in the correct place/orientation/juxtaposition; at exactly the right time is all too often forsaken in the race for quick-fix solutions.  If it is big enough it will cover all contingencies and generic enough it will be applicable in any location at any time.

Architects Edmiston Jones are advocates for appropriate architectural design – the tailor made compared to the ‘one size fits all’.  Too many continue to apply expensive technology to modify built environments that are over-sized through lack of thought or, perhaps worse still, the misguided perception that sheer volume equates with success and reputation.  Living and working environments need to be designed ‘fit for purpose’, located to suit the site and, where necessary, integrated with suitable technology.

Architects Edmiston Jones (AEJ) have been involved in the design of community facilities, churches and aged care establishments during their 30 years on the New South Wales South Coast.  Equitable access for all members of the community is a fundamental design principal and AEJ keep abreast of the evolving regulations.  Director, Steven Bayer, recently attended a seminar on the new Access to Premises Standard presented by the Aged and Community Services Association which had a particular emphasis on understanding the impact on aged care developments.

Retrofitting existing buildings presents a particular challenge in meeting current access standards.  AEJ’s experience with the Bermagui Medical Centre demonstrated the need for a close understanding of the relevant regulations as well as the careful planning required to come up with the most effective solution both in terms of cost and space.

The project involves the redevelopment of an existing service station to transform the existing site into a modern and efficient operation, including additional retail space.

Architects Edmiston Jones were responsible for the coordination and management of a large team of consultants, including engineering, acoustic, traffic, heritage and specialists.

The new Centre has made a significant contribution to a local community that enjoys a broad demographic ranging from young families to retirees.  Many are long standing residents that would have had to face the tough decision of leaving their hometown to be closer to medical support had not these facilities been provided.  Local pharmacist, Mark Manning, and his wife Marian saw the need to provide modern medical consulting rooms for the town to entice doctors to establish a practice.  It was a huge risk as at the outset of the project no doctors were committed to the venture.  During the course of the construction, Dr Jenny Wray became interested and has now extended her Narooma practice, The Lighthouse Surgery, to fully occupy the Bermagui Medical Centre.

The resulting design is an efficient layout providing four consulting rooms with associated procedure and treatment rooms as well as the necessary administration and amenities.  Disabled access has been provided to the front and rear of the building and throughout the Centre to meet current standards.  A range of medical consultants, located close to the shops and opposite the Community Centre, now provides an essential service for residents as well as the annual influx of tourists during the summer holidays.

Architects Edmiston Jones were well suited to the project as they actively support the adaptive re-use of buildings as an environmentally sustainable solution for commercial properties. Their Nowra office is a converted engineering parts shop and the Wollongong office stated life as a scout hall. With family ties going back four generations Mark Jones thought it was a real privilege to be involved in the project.  Mark is now entering his fourth decade of architectural practice on the NSW South Coast.  He was also recently appointed an Honorary Fellow with the Wollongong University Faculty of Engineering’s Sustainable Building Research Centre.

The “brief”, in a building context, is a statement of all the relevant information necessary for the commencement and execution of an architectural design and the program for its implementation.  A clear brief is essential to lay the foundation for all subsequent design decisions; avoid the possibility of the project ‘drifting’ and wasting time; and to ensure that the architect has clear objectives do the best job.  As importantly, it also minimises the possibility of disputes due to misunderstandings.

A brief might be anything from a single page to a multiple volume set of documents and includes opportunities assessed; constraints identified; and things needing further investigation clarified. There are no absolute rules and the information may be comprised of written statements or lists; clippings from magazines; images of existing spaces; samples of materials etc.  Any brief should include a clear statement of the prime objective for the project. This should be the guiding principle used as a test for decisions throughout the project.  Finally, don’t be surprised if the design process challenges presumptions and be prepared to expect the unexpected!

Contact mark@aej.com.au for Edmiston Jones FAQ – The Project Brief.  As the longest established architects on the NSW South Coast we have the experience to get your New Year building project underway.