Albert Ruttle Drive

Status: Completed in 2012

Internal alteration/renovation to single residence.

A unique, angular house provided a great opportunity for geometric exploration of space, composition and materiality in this internal renovation. The warmth and natural beauty of timber is expressed in the batten-lined entry passage and the black formply plywood shelving, showcasing the versatility and expressive possibilities of this material. The battens are not only a vertical screen but also wrap up to form the ceiling lining, enveloping and enlivening the entry passage. The subtle differences in each timber create a tonal rhythm as one enters the house, further accentuated by the angular configuration of the battens in response to the existing built form.

In contrast, the built-in plywood joinery establishes a different rhythm, one of more regular, rectilinear order and convention. And yet, within this order there are slight variations between bays: some shelves are spaced further apart than others to accommodate the vast and varied collection of books and treasures of the family, introducing a dynamism within the seemingly rigid order of a rectilinear grid. The black formply to the open shelves adds visual depth and contrast to the books and objects, enhancing the display of these items, while adjacent, closed joinery units with plywood doors bring the natural warmth and aesthetic of timber into the space.