Explorative Yet Contained – Freihaus Gatehouse by Gockel Architects

A recasting of an existopment opportunities, while still creating a home expressive of outdoor lifestyles.ing pre-war home, Freihaus Gatehouse follows the fall of the sloping site in opening the existing volumes to the northern aspect and the surrounding landscape. Gockel Architects draws from an historical connection and German ancestry to work intelligibly within the bounding limits of the site and devel

Taking inspiration from a term coined in the Middle Ages, where a home of the same name depicted a certain typology, Freihaus Gatehouse becomes an exploration of what makes a home contained within an outer wall, which in this case becomes the outer extents of the existing home. While consideration was given to how best to seize the opportunities available through a development application, the owners wanted to avoid the need to seek formal consent and approval. With an outdoor focus, the resulting home becomes prepped for a predominantly outdoor lifestyle, common of Brisbane. Gockel Architects strengthens bonds between the landscape and the built areas of the home, emphasised through visual access.

The same brick from the original home is extended out into the addition, allowing the textural face to continue and engage with natural light differently throughout the day.

Underpinning any family home is the ability for it to grow, expand and contract as the needs of its custodians change, while also allowing for a personalisation in the process. Building a base that is open to change and customisation is key. Built by Candour Builders, the additions and alterations are all contained within a small and imposing site, where landscape design by LARC binds the interior and exterior. The softening of the edges between neighbours and the streetscape also reinforces the outside as its own destination, with the landscape as its own occupiable space.

Throughout, the arch as a geometry is used in numerous iterations – from an internal accessway and corridor to marking an exterior colonnade spade that connects zones while also providing shelter. The same brick from the original home is extended out into the addition, allowing the textural face to continue and engage with natural light differently throughout the day, while the materiality ensures the forms feel deliberately connected. Along with the more weighted masonry elements, crisp whites, off-form concrete, travertine crazy paving and rosewood timber are used to bring a balance of warm and cooler tones together.

With an outdoor focus, the resulting home becomes prepped for a predominantly outdoor lifestyle, common of Brisbane.

Allowing the interior to open fully to the outdoors, Freihaus Gatehouse is marked by a series of strong connections across the site. Opening the structure, Gockel Architects has created additional areas for the owners to come together and to make their own.