A Natural Extension – Fuller House by DAH Architecture
Inspired by its humble beginnings, Fuller House takes heeded lead from its original cottage vernacular and fuses together with a contemporary Queenslander style. DAH Architecture reinterprets a series of core principles to craft the new as a natural evolution of the old.
Set amongst similar Queenslander homes in Lutwyche, Fuller House draws from its origins as it extends further into the rear of its generous site. As a respectful response to context and to the surrounding stylistic cues of the area, the extension was conceived as an alignment with what had come before. The new needed to feel like an effortless evolution, not a directly opposing addition. By maintaining a connection to the past through the overall form and elevated elements, a similar under-croft style open area allows a uniquely Queensland connection to the landscape. Allowing residents to live openly, the sheltered area becomes its own outdoor room of sorts, where DAH Architecture enables an embrace of the natural elements while continuing a similar connection to the handmade.
Fuller House uses restraint in both the interior and exterior approaches to ensure the connection between the home and the landscape remains a priority. The simplified approach to form is brought into the rear extruded form, with horizontal timber battens wrapping the new addition as a continuance of the old, continuing as a legacy to the past while also tying into a more contemporary sense of connection. Key to the traditional homes in the area is a shared lightness, both in the chosen materiality and the tonality of the elements as they come together. Whilst on the lower level an open planned living, kitchen and dining space all blend into one, they then open to the landscape. Although navigating the site and its constraints posed their own challenges, the result feels like a natural and effortless addition.
Balancing the active areas below, the more retreat-like spaces are positioned on the upper floors where the bathrooms and bedrooms reside. Creating this sense of harmony between inside and out, between open and closed, and between active and passive was key. The materiality is also born from a similar approach with weighted robust polished concrete floors underfoot being offset by extensive glazing and painted timber panels that encase the home. By allowing rooms to open and close and engage with the surrounds, the home reflects the essence of what it is to live in Queensland, as well as connecting with a modern way of how homes are occupied.
Allowing residents to live openly, the sheltered area becomes its own outdoor room of sorts, where DAH Architecture enables an embrace of the natural elements while continuing a similar connection to the handmade.
Fuller House extends the relevance of its past through a respectful reinterpretation, seeing DAH Architecture add value through a considered and curated lens.
