Sand Vault
The Sand Vault House, Torquay (01/2010 - 02/2011)
The ‘Sand Vault’ house was designed to encourage and promote a families enjoyment of their life together, while facilitating entertainment of guests and friends. The clients have a strong relationship with the ocean and we sought to develop a concept that related to their lifestyle. The form was generated through observing the angular fragmentation of the beach sand crust formed in the right moisture and salt binding conditions of Summer. This was a playful way of connecting the residents to their personal space.
Upon opening the front door the pool is presented as light is fed in through triangular skylights in a faceted ceiling which emulate the disintegration of the sand crust. Aside the Dining and Kitchen space the ceiling folds into the pool, encouraging a foreground view of the water. A fold to the wall of the Master Ensuite enables light to feed in from the South. Feature grade ‘Yellow Stringybark’ timber floor and decking throughout provide the floor with sand like quality.
The habitable zones of the building are stretched out along an East West axis and wrap around various landscaped areas to provide ample opportunity to view these spaces. A screened indoor/outdoor shower also enhances the connection to nature. Water tanks and wastewater treatment system have also been provided.
The generous lot size of over 6000sqm provided much opportunity for the design. The clients requested that the main living areas and sleeping quarters be located on the same level, which we encouraged to provide the residence with a strong connection to the site. The natural contour gently slopes toward the East and has been utilized to anchor the basement into the site, encompassing a triple Garage, Cellar, Store and Plant Room. The upper level includes 4 Bedrooms, Living/Lounge, Dining, Kitchen, Rumpus, Cinema Room, Wet Area/Utility spaces, Pool/Spa and ample decking.
