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Urban Adaptability – Suburban House by Sans-Arc Studio
Sitting as an architectural departure from its neighbours, Suburban House by Sans-Arc Studio is a family home that highlights adaptability. Pertaining to the owner’s request to add unusual elements, the home possesses a distinct identity and boasts longevity.
Tasked with constructing a family home tailored to the owners’ needs, Sans-Arc Studio has drawn inspiration from midcentury design to create a dwelling that is sustainable and enduring in nature. The owners required ample space to host large family get-togethers at Christmas, a work-from-home office and a dry store for curing salami, among other special requests. It is this seamless pivot on tradition that becomes a theme for Sans-Arc Studio’s clear approach towards this building. The final form, nestled in the leafy surrounds of suburban Adelaide, is a calm, gentle and honest residence that fully embraces its modernity.
The home’s location among the leafy surrounds especially emphasised the need for it to feel both contemporary and timeless. With the architect opting for a passive approach to the design, Suburban House is a functional residence that does not sacrifice the beauty of its form. Utilising soft, natural timber coupled with organic shapes gives the home a distinctly playful feel whilst never undermining the context in which it sits.
The heart of this exceptional residence lies in its open plan kitchen, living and dining areas. Anchored by an oversized kitchen island and positioned directly adjacent to the large courtyard, this open concept allows for freedom of movement within the spaces and a sense of adaptability. This creates an outdoor connection by allowing for plenty of natural light and ventilation throughout.
Privacy was a key component of the design brief, and the home introduces the concept both inside and out. A simple sliding door allows the owners to separate the street-facing wing from the rest of the house, creating an entirely private space for work or for guests. Outside, clever timber detailing hides the oversized three-car garage from the street.
The warm, earthy tones of the colour palette stay present throughout the home. The interplay of creams and off-whites against the floor-to-ceiling oak joinery allows for a dynamic tactility to be felt within the home without being overbearing. As a counterpoint, the metalwork additions introduce some sculpture to the form. Following a similar modest approach, the playful design expertly treads the line of art and functionality.
With the architect opting for a passive approach to the design, Suburban House is a functional residence that does not sacrifice the beauty of its form.
In utilising clever, understated design principles and embracing soft, natural building materials, Sans-Arc Studio has created a family dwelling full of a playfulness. Through embedding a distinctly timeless character into the residence, the architect ensures the home will age into its setting comfortably.
