A Unique Engagement with Site – CLT House by Emma Mitchell Architects

Inspired by a mix of the nostalgia of the holiday home together with the work of Harry Seidler, CLT House is an exploration in site engagement. Emma Mitchell Architects combine Australian-made CLT technology with the whimsy and the recollection of ocean-side stays.

In its coastal setting, CLT House is an expression of its comprising parts and acts as a response to its site. Inspired by the owner’s connection to their existing occasional home, the new iteration was to be an evolution of the familiar and be a fitting, natural addition. After recently visiting Harry Seidler’s The Rose House in Sydney’s Wahroonga, the owners were also influenced and inspired by the principles underpinning such an iconic modernist interpretation of the residential condition and wanted to apply a similar approach. The resulting home is both warm and inviting, while adopting a clear connection to the underpinning philosophies of modernism.

In its coastal setting, CLT House is an expression of its comprising parts and acts as a response to its site.

Located in Victoria’s idyllic Angelsea, CLT House sits comfortably in its coastal milieu amongst similar timber-clad holiday homes. Its location allows an optimisation of natural sea breezes and views outward to the ocean to be celebrated. The L-shape floor plan references the linear regularity of Seidler’s work and conjures multiple opportunities for visual and temperate connections between the interior experience and the surrounding nature. The floor plan turns its back on the harsh prevailing winds, which are also softened by the windbreaking vegetation along the site’s border. The deliberate orientation allows for controlled solar gain and purposed connection to the garden.

Taking its name from the prefabricated building system it is made from, CLT House reflects the modesty and appropriateness of its structure to its site. Originally a European technology, CLT panels are a system that reduces the time needed on site, while the cross laminated timber panels are manufactured offsite in a climatically stable environment. The utilisation of the system allows for reduced environmental impact and is both cost and time efficient. The first of its kind made from Australian made CLT panels, the resulting house comes together with ease, minimising site disruption while benefiting from the thermal lag of heat transfer. The cladding of bar pine panelling internally offers a connection to the early holiday homes of the area where raw materials were exposed. Together with the concrete blockwork, red brick and painted mural, the same simplified detailing and warmth is carried throughout, adding a robust and playful touch.

Inspired by the owner’s connection to their existing occasional home, the new iteration was to be an evolution of the familiar and be a fitting, natural addition.

CLT House responds to its site and context with a curated appropriateness and echoes the casual and laid-back ethos of the holiday home. Emma Mitchell Architects have cleverly utilised the CLT technology to both the site and owner’s advantage and, in doing so, created the ideal modernist escape.

After recently visiting Harry Seidler’s The Rose House in Sydney’s Wahroonga, the owners were also influenced and inspired by the principles underpinning such an iconic modernist interpretation of the residential condition and wanted to apply a similar approach.