This image was recently published in the online magazine Architecture
Week
www.architectureweek.com/2012/0125/design_1-1.html
Featured in the Australian series of Grand Designs this home called
"Very Small House" or "Small House" has gone on to
win national and international awards.
Designed by Domenic Alvaro, it won the ‘World’s Best House’ award at
the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2011.
The Grand Designs website promo says:
"Architect Domenic Alvaro and his partner Sue Bassett are urban
animals who love the inner city suburb of Surry Hills in Sydney.
However their dream location comes with a nightmare price tag. So,
they come up with a unique way of keeping costs down and do this by
buying very small and building very tall.
After buying a tiny corner car park measuring 7m x 6m they set out to create 220 square metres of light filled living space. Their vertical build comes together quickly thanks to pre-fab concrete panels which fit together like Lego. Construction itself is fast and efficient but there are interesting challenges on site. A miniscule block and two narrow cross streets won’t submit to the needs of a gigantic crane in a hurry – and the crane is essential as it hauls the huge panels and windows into position. Basically something’s gotta give – and it does. Will the result be worth the hassle?"
I think the answer to that is a resounding yes!
welle23, livingsunny, EEAworkshop, Rumbo181, and 8 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Rober1000x 17 months ago | reply
Great shot for abeautiful house
Mick h 51 17 months ago | reply
Lovely architecture!
Mr Giblin 16 months ago | reply
A great shot Peter of a beautifully finished house. However, as you may have realised when you shot it, it is hardly small. The office next door is a good point of reference. 220 sq m of space for two people is not the model for high density living we should be encouraging in the city. There are tonnes of Surry Hills residents already living in projects that aren't quite as sleek or named as such, but are of a much higher density.
on the water photography 16 months ago | reply
Thanks.
You are right that the building has a generous amount of space compared to neighbours. The name should be changed perhaps to "Very Small Block". Given however the small footprint they had to work with it was a clever use of space.
For anyone who hasn't seen the Grand Designs episode of the build I would highly recommend watching it - very entertaining.
Cheers
Peter
rorytoomey 16 months ago | reply
Hi Peter. Lovely photo of a beautifully resolved and built project. Thanks for posting.
I must however agree with Mr Giblin. Our house in Surry Hills, 2 blocks from this one, is a terrace house with 3 bedrooms currently housing two of us and a dog plus both of our home offices in 81.5 sqm. If we have a baby we will stay there for some time making it approx 27 sqm per occupant. Around 30 - 35 sqm per person is a reasonable model for longterm sustainability in urban housing.
The footprint of our house on the block is a very narrow 3.8 x 10m.
It is more than 100 years old.
Any awards to Mr Alvaro should be given for self promotion, rather than for sustainable design.
albireo2006 6 months ago | reply
cute modern building