Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Queens Park House

This is a project by MCK Architects and it is located at Sydney, Australia. Project's program: Single family house. There are twelve images for Queens Park House.

: © Willem Rethmeier

Project details

Project name: Queens Park House
Location: Sydney, Australia
Program: Single family house
Area: Project area: 240 m2
Year: Completion: 2008
More details: Project cost: $ 1.5 Million
Project by: MCK Architects
Others: Builder: Pro Build • Interior Decoration: Briony Fitzgerald • Structural Engineer: Simpson Design Associates • Hydraulic Engineer: Steve Paul + Partners • Landscape Architect: Material • Quantity Surveyor: QS Plus • Surveyor: Lawrence Group • Joinery: Easy Rest

Project images

Designer's statement

The core idea for this house was a room in the garden. A large brief for a small site provided the genesis of a concept that would set as it's premise an idea of openness and the removal of division and barrier. Spaces would flow and extend and connect with a seamless interaction in the horizontal and vertical direction. Most importantly the interior would extend into and become part of the garden, as would the garden become part of the interior.

An early vision in the conceptual stage was one of a room sitting amongst lush plants and trees with the walls of the garden being the walls of the room. We maintained this vision and worked very closely with client, landscape architect and structural engineer to arrive at the desired result.

Full height frameless glass sliding doors custom designed and engineered by the client's preferred window manufacturer is one example of how there was a common goal.

Similarly, the structural engineering is a close alliance delivering a concrete superstructure that defies gravity providing an uninterrupted passage between living room and landscape.

Further to the above and central to the evolution of the design was the relationship and conversation between new and old, between the heritage character of the existing cottage and the introduced concrete and glass structure. The cottage and it's street presence is maintained and refurbished. As one moves from front door to rear a mixing of the individual languages takes place at a mid transition zone where cornice meets frameless glass and timber skirting meets off form concrete stair.

To the rear of the site the 'new' is viewed from a laneway, again robust and proud, but still of a scale that is in keeping with the neighbouring buildings. The shake cladding becomes concrete frame and cedar louvres continuing a theme but adding a layering and lightness to the façade.

With time the garden will grow thicker and lusher and taller and contribute at an urban scale as well as providing an oasis for the owners.

The house performs well environmentally with good solar access and plenty of ventilation.

The collaboration with landscape architect was a success with the clients continuing the conversation and consultancy in order to maintain and nurture their new garden.