Soudan House

by Richard Kerr Architects

Soudan House designed by Richard Kerr Architects is an upgrade of an existing Victorian Federation home to become a more efficient site usage and outdoor spaces with a greater amenity.

Located in Malvern, design of this house on both levels has a clear northern orientation, with a calculated overhang to the ground floor and external operable louvres which work efficiently for all seasons and results in an exceptionally energy efficient addition.

The northern orientation of this house was critical to the final design of this house, to create a sustainable future, reducing energy and lighting usage as well as promoting cross-ventilation.

Due to the Heritage overlay of this house, architects faced substantial challenges in the design of this house, which involved convincing the council and neighbours of the alternative approach for the house.

The proposed design weighting to the south running ‘away from the eye’ minimizes the building form exposed to the streetscape. This, as well as the pitched/raked form, also ensure that from the front on view the addition is barely visible and from the northern boundary view it is not visible.

Another benefit of this approach is the detailed Victorian chimneys, and a substantial part of the ridge line, retain their silhouette with the sky; something not achieved by two-storey additions conventionally built across the back.

The east elevation ‘layering’ is a conscious solution which permits the existing Victorian eaves to be maintained while providing an articulated elevation and importantly creating a shadow and visual ridge ‘break’.

Existing parts of the house were also upgraded, with floor insulation and high rated roof insulation and internally the off-formed concrete transition space provides a dramatic end to the period part while including a thermal mass element to the strong west facing sun. 3KW of solar panels were also installed.

The final outcome of Soudan House is an articulated design which is respectful to its heritage. Correctly orientated, contemporary pop 130 years after the original majestic construction.

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