Unique Tower House Adapted For Twin Children

The Tower House is a unique building fully sustainable and adapted to the clients' needs

The Tower House is a unique building fully sustainable and adapted to the clients' needs

Tower House is a renovation and extension to a weatherboard home in Alphington, Victoria, Australia. Andrew Maynard Architects restored the original house, where there are two kids’ rooms, a bathroom and living spaces. A studio, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining occupy the new part of the house. Tower House is the result of endless conversations with a trusting, enthusiastic, patient and encouraging client.

Like all of our buildings, sustainability is at the core of Tower House. Rather than simply extruding the existing structure we have run the new form along the southern boundary so that it is soaked with sunlight. The openings and windows have been designed to optimize passive solar gain, thereby drastically reducing demands on mechanical heating and cooling. All windows are double glazed. White roofs drastically reduce urban heat sink and heat transfer internally. Need for air-conditioning is eliminated through active management of shade, and flow through ventilation. Water tanks have their place as they do on all of our projects. High performance insulation is everywhere, even in the walls of the original house.

The interiors are modern with mid-century modern touches, I totally love the extensive use of warm-colored woods. Light-colored wood panels cover may walls and other surfaces, which is an eco-friendly and timeless choice – such surfaces will always be in style. Most of spaces are adapted to kids’ needs and wishes, so they have some specific features in design.

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The house got an extension to accomodate everything that the owners needed

The house got an extension to accomodate everything that the owners needed

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The master bedroom is decorated with light-colored wood, stone and the design is modern

The master bedroom is decorated with light-colored wood, stone and the design is modern

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Unique light-colored wooden shingles cover doors, walls and some other surfaces, which is a unique feature of the house

Unique light-colored wooden shingles cover doors, walls and some other surfaces, which is a unique feature of the house

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The kitchen is clad with light-colored wooden panels and the unusual architectural countertop is usedas a dining table

The kitchen is clad with light-colored wooden panels and the unusual architectural countertop is usedas a dining table

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Most of spaces are adapted to the kids' needs, which was a requirement of the clients

Most of spaces are adapted to the kids' needs, which was a requirement of the clients

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The living room has mid-century modenr features, it's rather cozy and filled with light

The living room has mid-century modenr features, it's rather cozy and filled with light

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The house is rather opened to outdoors so that the kids and adults could enjoy fresh air and sunlight

The house is rather opened to outdoors so that the kids and adults could enjoy fresh air and sunlight

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there are a lot of kids' zones in the house, including this one with steps and a net for fun

there are a lot of kids' zones in the house, including this one with steps and a net for fun

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The bathroom is modern and chic, I love the geometry of mirrors here, they create a simple yet eye-catching accent

The bathroom is modern and chic, I love the geometry of mirrors here, they create a simple yet eye-catching accent

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The simplicity of black and white is a great thing, and it's totally timeless

The simplicity of black and white is a great thing, and it's totally timeless

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The bathroom is opened to outdoors and you can enjoy the views while taking a bath

The bathroom is opened to outdoors and you can enjoy the views while taking a bath

Source: architonic