Shift

by Honeyman and Smith

Shift by Honeyman and Smith is definied by the romantic ideals of the scheme that are based heavily in the low-lying connection to the ground.

Shift is designed around prominent inner courtyards that act as a cooling and shading mechanism in summer. They also serve to bring the landscape and surrounding paddocks into the heart of the home. Honeyman and Smith initially encountered an existing residence that was disconnected with the surrounding environment. The new forms seek to shift away, maximising views and connections across and through the site. The design is split into two levels, with upper and lower elements, connected by a central stair and linear ramp.

Shift is designed around prominent inner courtyards that act as a cooling and shading mechanism in summer.

The two new forms are proportionally thin and long, encouraging interaction with surrounding paddocks, allowing for areas of the building to be isolated depending on season and use, much like the areas of the working farm this building occupies.

The design is definied by the romantic ideals of the scheme that are based heavily in the low-lying connection to the ground.

The heavy structural concrete wall on the west begins the placement of the upper building, connected by a steel structure, allowing for shallow long forms to follow the natural contours, with lighter weight inner areas falling away with the landscape. The new entrance splits the old and the new, with new solid brickwork connecting back to the existing residence. The upper connection with the existing building is based on material articulation and window size proportions.

The design is split into two levels, with upper and lower elements, connected by a central stair and linear ramp.

The lower building is partially embedded in the ground to the south in order to allow for seamless interaction with the foreground and background across the lower roof from the upper building. This represents the romanticism of low-lying architecture connecting humans back to the natural ground. 

The upper connection with the existing building is based on material articulation and window size proportions.

As with all Honeyman and Smith designed homes the materials have been locally sourced and are sustainable in nature. The materials used compliment the rural glow of the paddocks, red clay soil and cattle of the abutting landscape – paying tribute to the iconic Australian environment.

The materials used were chosen to pay tribute to the iconic Australian environment.