rachcoff vella architecture: piermont home with three wings

‘piermont’ by rachcoff vella, piermont, australiaimage © shannon mcgrath

the completed project by australian practice rachcoff vella architecture is conceptually a uniquely sculptural built form that is the nucleus of a site that embodies an existing house; a new house; sculpture and landscaped gardens on a 10-acre site, called ‘piermont’. the solution to the clients brief was essentially a central hub with a series of wings that spread out into the landscape, connecting the structure with key aspects of the site. each occupant has at least one specifically designed space in the house allowing them to individually, as well as collectively, experience a custom designed outcome — occupants  move from shared spaces where they interact to their individual space where they can withdraw and seek solitude from the larger context. specifically designed and well crafted design details were important contributors to the execution of the design concepts for this project. the clients were heavily involved in many specific details such as the 3.0m wide front door and illuminated door handle, the swivel vanity mirrors, the school desk library joinery, the custom wardrobes, the study desk joinery and the gallery spaces to name a few.

the bedroom wings respond to the contours of the land bunkering down into the landscape and reducing the built forms’ dominance in these more private spaces. the main living wing is the more flamboyant object which proudly projects out over the site and boldly draws in the natural landscape in through the glass box, with the central hub connects the bedrooms and living wings and acts as the driving seat of the house allowing traffic to be managed and dispersed into the three wings. central pods are located within the main living wing; they provide functional spaces without compromising movement throughout the building. each wing engages with the environment whilst understanding its use, emphasized by the glass pavilion at the center point of the house which engages with its surroundings and adjacent terraces through its transparent operable facade.

rachcoff vella architecture’s piermont home incorporates three wings that stretch throughout the plan

landscapeimage © shannon mcgrath

key to sustainability issues is the orientation of the building and performance of the structure in managing the extreme micro climate of the location. orientation maximizes passive solar design principles, low winter sun is allowed to penetrate into the fabric during the winter while large eaves protect out during summer. other key environmental considerations include significant wall, roof, ceiling and slab insulation, solar hot water system, photovoltaic panels, 80,000 litre rainwater tanks, integrated landscaping and pergola features for sun shading management, hydronic slab heating, and fixed shading devices and glass roofs.

elevation

window boxes

deck & family hub

entry

ensuite

library

kitchen

living

project info:

planning: 12 monthsconstruction: 12 monthsproject team: tony vella / steve rachcoff / wade stephens / thivantha vishwanath / jane mccraebuilder: g and s morris constructionsplanning consultant: sjb planningquantity surveyor: prowse quantity surveyorsstructural engineer: keith patrick and associatesbuilding surveyor: lorenzini groupland surveyor: beveridge williams and co.photographer: shannon mcgrath

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.