Australian Architecture Wins Big on the World Stage
Step inside the breathtaking Sydney home that walked away with top honours at this week's World Architecture Festival
A striking new home in Sydney’s Castle Cove, NSW, has won the Best Completed Buildings – House award at the 2019 World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, beating 14 other shortlisted completed houses – six of which came from Australia.
Castle Cove House, by architectural firm Terroir, takes its cues from Californian mid-century architecture – a sculptural, concrete structure with irregular lines that echoes the contours of the surrounding terrain. Judges described it as “an indeterminate form that is distinctively new but could equally be a strange object ‘unearthed’ during excavation”.
The three-day World Architecture Festival, which ends on 6 December 2019, recognises the finest residential and commercial architecture around the globe, and draws architects from around the world. The Best Completed Buildings – House award is one of the most prestigious awards handed out during the festival.
Come inside and see for yourself the features that wowed the judges.
Castle Cove House, by architectural firm Terroir, takes its cues from Californian mid-century architecture – a sculptural, concrete structure with irregular lines that echoes the contours of the surrounding terrain. Judges described it as “an indeterminate form that is distinctively new but could equally be a strange object ‘unearthed’ during excavation”.
The three-day World Architecture Festival, which ends on 6 December 2019, recognises the finest residential and commercial architecture around the globe, and draws architects from around the world. The Best Completed Buildings – House award is one of the most prestigious awards handed out during the festival.
Come inside and see for yourself the features that wowed the judges.
The bold, concrete form is topped with a continuous zinc membrane that folds over to form a smaller pocket to the rear, which contains private rooms. Both the concrete and zinc will patinate over time, moving again from resembling a new to pre-existing form.
Brass, steel and mirrored touches visually expand the sense of internal space, making it feel bigger than it is.
Winners of the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards
Winners of the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards
The basement acts as a cold sink that allows cool air to be constantly drawn through the main living spaces via floor vents and operable skylights, which are tilted north to draw in heat and assist in the convection process.
2019 Australian Institute of Architects’ Award Winners Revealed
2019 Australian Institute of Architects’ Award Winners Revealed
The house has been designed to maximise thermal comfort and minimise energy consumption. Energy-efficient features include cross ventilation, generous overhangs, thermal mass, double glazing, internal and external blinds and underfloor heating.
Your turn
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Want to be wowed by more incredible architecture? Don’t miss Poetry in Motion: The World’s Most Audacious Modern Architecture
Your turn
Tell us what you like about this house in the Comments below, save the images for inspiration and like this story. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Want to be wowed by more incredible architecture? Don’t miss Poetry in Motion: The World’s Most Audacious Modern Architecture
Judges’ comments: “What initially seems to be a simple integration of house into landscape is so much more. With the diversity and complexity of space there is a visual shattering of boundaries between inside and out. The use of well-tested ‘architectural instruments and tools’ define and punctuate the concept. A rigorous process of thought and organically responsive design enriches the functionality with the poetic. The moments of joy just keep coming.”
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