Indulge #16 49

[LIVE]

48 . Indulge #16

V HouseSitting proudly on the edge of Sunshine Coast’s Mooloolah River is Shaun Lockyer Architect’s V House, winner of the 2018 Architecture Institute of Australia Sunshine Coast House of the Year.

1

Indulge #16 51

[LIVE]

50 . Indulge #16

1. V House 2. Courtyard 3. Pool. Images by Scott Burrows. More images can be viewed at our online magazine – www.indulgemagazine.net

The property boasts a dual storey residence with a floor plan indicative

of the home’s name; its V-shape hugging the boundaries of the property. The irregular shaped block harbours a deep-water canal view to the south, with the transparent living pavilion opening the home to lapping water at the property’s banks, a vivid connection to the sultry setting of the Sunshine Coast. Characterised by the casting of shadows, the timber screened walls provide a textural, animated fringe of ever-changing light.

Highly refined detailing complements a clear framework reducing barriers between internal and external spaces throughout the ground level. Mixing industrial elements with the serene surrounds, concrete blocks mount timber decks that survey the canal from the second storey, conveying a poetic yet pragmatic response to the block. The play between transparency and permanence is evident as one transitions from semi-private to private along a sensory journey through light filled spaces and sculpted voids, all of which reinforce the delight of the experience.

The entry sequence begins at the street establishing a transparent spine to the primary living spaces which hug the southern edge of the property. Private

bedrooms and a games room occupy the first floor, enjoying a landscaped rooftop terrace on the northern edge accessible from the courtyard below via a sculptural steel spiral stair.

The house instead presents to the street as a stone-clad, heavily-landscaped form in a non-conventional way. The highly animated timber screen presents as a Japanese lantern by night offering a pleasant and warm edge to the public realm. Robust, highly durable materials intended to weather will hopefully offer a more sustainable long-term alternative to the typical housing typology in the area.

While rational in form, this was a very complicated and unforgiving house to build, according to Shaun Lockyer. A heavy engineering focus by Westera Partners along with thorough input from builder CGH Constructions made for a seamless process.

The V House is a holiday house that will become the permanent home for the owners, and while the house is large, it has a human scale and intimacy which allows smaller groups to feel comfortable in the space.

This is a robust, hardwearing home intended to gracefully age and limit maintenance. The timber rain screen offers shade, protection and security

responding to the sub-tropical context. Deep eaves, excellent cross-flow ventilation, thermal mass and natural lighting make for a very sustainable long-term proposition. Solar power, battery storage, low-E glazing, LED lighting and FSC hardwoods complete the architect’s approach to creating a relevant and enduring home.

The richness of the detail and crafting is evident throughout V House as one moves through spaces bound by travertine, timber framed glazed walls and board formed concrete. Embracing irregularity, V House is a testament to Shaun Lockyer’s dialogue of concrete, timber and stone, drawing heavily from both modern and South American subtropical narratives.BY ASHLEY HANGER

2

[LIVE]

3

52 . Indulge #16

Favourite international holiday destination, and why? I love the tropical islands in South East Asia as they combine a great escape, relaxed vibe, warm people, awesome food and world-class scuba diving. What could be better?

Ultimate Australian escape, and why? Lord Howe Island. This is arguably one of the most beautifully unspoilt and magical places on earth. If I did not have a house on North Stradbroke Island, I would have said ‘Straddie’ but it is my second home now and as such, not technically an escape (albeit still is for me).

Which do you prefer – country or city living, and why? From a work perspective I love the richness and diversity of the city but I do a lot of work that takes us out to incredible landscapes in the country which I certainly enjoy. Variety is what it is all about!

EAT LIVE PLAY

Shaun LockyerShaun Lockyer Architects

Lord Howe Island. Image by Fanny Schertzer

Favourite room in your home, and why? Our double height living room is very much the centre of gravity in our home and we love it there. It is high volume, flooded with light and adorned with heaps of artwork. It is a modern but eclectic room which is very much my personal tilt.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be, and what would you serve? Of living people, I would find it hard to go past Barrack Obama or Elon Musk. These may be predictable choices but they are both people that have increasingly shown their humanity and compassion in a way that sets them apart from what we have come to expect of leadership. It would seem appropriate to prepare a gorgeous vegan meal … I am not vegan, but if we are talking compassion, you want to be consistent!

A weekend in spring is best spent … Surfing at Adder Rock, North Stradbroke Island.