JAMBEROO FARM HOUSE

Recently completed & shortlisted for awards

2013 AIA NSW ARCHITECTURE AWARDS
Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Shortlist 

Residential Architecture - Houses (New) 

Jamberoo Farm House - Casey Brown Architecture 

2013 HOUSES AWARDS 
Shortlist
New House over 200m²
Casey Brown Architecture for Jamberoo Farm House

To view more photos, drawings and description of the Jamberoo Farm House please visit the portfolio section on our webpage at www.caseybrown.com.au

Judging Criteria Description

Located on the edge of the coastal escarpment south of Sydney, the site enjoys beautiful views of rolling green hills and a distant panorama to the sea. The clients brief sought a new country residence with private guest accommodation and large entertaining areas. A microclimate of heavy rains, strong winds and western sun had to be addressed, coupled with the need for the new works to sit comfortably within the established character of a complex of existing buildings.

The design provides a new family house in the North West corner of this farm complex characterised by existing vernacular buildings including an old dairy, barns, sheds and cottages configured around an ancient Morton Bay Fig tree. Three gabled pavilions connected through a breezeway create a series of framed views through the building. Views to the North, West as well as the central courtyard to the South are captured while creating a series of private spaces and a large communal living/dining/kitchen. Carefully designed to add a contemporary layer of history to the place, the new building responds in shape, scale and proportion to its immediate surroundings.

External materials are taken from the existing buildings pallet but given a contemporary interpretation and include local field stone, vertical Blackbutt lining boards with cover battens left natural to fade to a grey colour and Colorbond roofs. Internally, Blackbutt floors, wall and ceiling linings reinforce a strong timber character. The main pavilion features a dramatic cathedral ceiling with exposed recycled hardwood timber posts, paired rafters and scissor trusses. Gradually, the pavilion becomes wider and higher towards the North giving the living area spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and coast in the distance. The scullery behind the open kitchen is built as a low ceiling room within the main pavilion. Large timber sliding doors open up the house to a wide wrap around curved veranda to the North West.

Promotional Summary

Located on the edge of the coastal escarpment south of Sydney, the site enjoys beautiful views of rolling green hills and a distant panorama to the sea. The design provides a new family house in the North West corner of an existing farm complex characterised by vernacular buildings including an old dairy, barns, sheds and cottages configured around an ancient Morton Bay Fig tree. Three gabled pavilions connected through a breezeway create a series of framed views through the building. Views to the North, West as well as the central courtyard to the South are captured through the building’s form while creating a series of private spaces and a large communal living/dining/kitchen. The main pavilion features a dramatic cathedral ceiling with exposed recycled hardwood timber posts, paired rafters and scissor trusses. Carefully designed to add a contemporary layer of history to the place, the new building responds in shape, scale and proportion to its immediate surroundings. External materials include local field stone, vertical Blackbutt lining boards with cover battens left natural to fade to a grey colour and Colorbond roofs to match the surrounding farm buildings. Internally, Blackbutt floors, wall and ceiling linings reinforce a strong timber character.

Sustainable Architecture Category

Sustainable design principles include large roof overhangs and wide verandas to provide shading from the harsh Australian sun. Breaking up the building plan into three pavilions maximises ventilation in between and through the buildings. Steep pitched roofs shed torrential down pours frequent in this area, while creating generous high ceilings inside. Ceiling fans and louver windows to each room provide continuous cross- ventilation and keep the house cool in summer. A series of wood burning fireplaces provide heating in winter. Entry doors are air locked with a double door arrangement and doors and windows are double glazed to provide extra insulation. Flies are kept out with screened sliding doors. Photovoltaic panels generate a portion of the building’s electricity needs. Rainwater is collected and stored in a large underground tank for reuse. A variety of recycled and local materials are used for this building including the timber hardwood structure, external and internal floor coverings, wall and ceiling linings and surrounding dry stone walls.