NGA: Architects series

Always inspiring... Contemporary Australian Architects speaker series hosted by AIA ACT at the National Gallery of Australia. The series this year kicked off last week with Phooey Architects, and continues this Wednesday night with Chenchow Little Architects (faaabulous!).

19 August Philip Thalis, Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects, Sydney
26 August Angelo Candalepas, Candalepas Associates, Adjunct Prof of Architecture at UNSW

James O Fairfax Theatre from 6pm
Tickets each session $20 ($15 for members) book here.

Real Estate Rooms: architectural gem

Spotted on the weekend, and now on Allhomes... I covet...

This original 1963 architecturally designed home was substantially extended in the 1970's and now offers an incredible opportunity for a quality renovation. The improvements provide numerous lifestyle options with granny flat or teenager’s retreat in addition to the 4 bedrooms plus study in the original structure. There are elements of a 1960’s time capsule with the original timber panelling, original period kitchen appliances, timber clad bar, even a music control and electronic intercom throughout with a state of the art (1960’s style) security system.

The formal rooms feature extensive use of timber finishes and the ball room size living area has 3 metre high raked ceiling and is drenched with natural light from the sliding doors to the courtyard and innovative roof lines. {drools}

Features I love include:

• Wood panelled and cork flooring kitchen overlooking rear balconies and pond
• 1960’s Kitchen appliances include chef cook top, Vulcan dishlex range hood and dishwasher plus Westinghouse 246 Fan forced wall oven (never used)!!
• Musicom music system and original electron intercom inside and out
• IEI 1960’s security system
• Timber panelled plumbed bar
• Powder room near bar
• Some quality antique light fittings
• Wine cellar
• Extensive front courtyards
• Some architectural gems with 3m raked ceilings , skylights and innovative window designs
• Some quality finishes in excellent condition including marble clad pillars in the living room and original tiling in the grand entrance and kitchen.
...and the WALLPAPER... keep keep keep it!!!

Check it out here on Allhomes, oh the things we could do...!

Futuristic Thursday: Space Pod

Who knew that this amazing example of 1960's pop architecture was hiding in the graveyard of the now closed Canberra Space Dome and Observatory in Dickson? Well, the Shopping Sherpa knew and I will not resist any temptation to share it with you too. Designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen as a pre-fab relocatable residential pod, the Futuro gives an obvious nod to the space age futuristic movement of the time...

Image from The Shopping Sherpa

"The circular house, 11 feet high and 26 feet across, was designed by Matti Suuronen, a Finnish architect, in 1968. A hatch door in its lower half opened down to reveal steps, like the door of a small airplane, and led into a room outfitted with six plastic bed-chair combinations and a central fireplace slab, as well as a kitchenette and a bathroom. Photographs from the time make the house look like a place where the Teletubbies might live, with Barbarella as a frequent houseguest."

Image by the Shopping Sherpa

Too cool to go unnoticed, our Canberran Futuro was never used as a live-in pod, but as part of the Space Dome and Observatory, probably manufactured in Australia. Now completely disused - it would be a damn shame to leave it to rust and ruin, what I wouldn't give to convert this into some very special accommodation!... see below for some images of other Futuros in their original glory and the final image of a refurbished 'holiday pod' in the US.

A film about the Futuro was released in 1998, leading to a resurgence in the popularity of it's ideals and an audience of a whole new generation of fans... and me! Hot tomale, if Dickson Tradies are going to give it away, can I have it please!??

Open house: Modern miniatures

Saturday saw the grand opening of Playing House: Dolls Houses 1957-2007 a remarkable display of 18 dolls houses and furniture collected by none other than The Shopping Sherpa. I gave you a preview here last week, now a sneak peek at the exhibition made famous on design sites Desire to Inspire and Apartment Therapy... you should not miss...

Playing House is on display now at Canberra Museum and Gallery until January 2009.

This weekend: Sustainable house day

Sustainable House Day, now in its seventh year, is a symbol of the growing green
consciousness in the ‘burbs. Nationally over 100 homes will be opening offering the general public the opportunity to experience an achievable sustainable lifestyle in their neighbourhood. This event allows you to meet home owners who can guide you on sustainable lifestyle choices for your home and show you how easy and economical the move to green living can be.

”Over the last seven years of Sustainable House Day we have seen a dramatic increase in interest in the benefits of domestic energy efficiency. People now realise they need to reduce their energy, water and waste needs in their home, but we have noticed that some are still confused on where to start”, said Judy Celmins National Media Manager for Sustainable House Day.
Many of these homes are not necessarily purpose built showcase homes either. Many look just like every other home in the street - until you walk inside.

Ready to go sustainable? There is nothing better than talking to people who have already done it. You can learn the good and the bad and talk to not just the homeowners, but often the architects, designers, builders and other relevant trades people.

Check out which Canberra homes are open this weekend at the Sustainable House Day website.
$5 entry to each house helps toward event costs.

I covet: Real Estate room

I could die happily now if this is what heaven looks like... I spotted a designers (or maybe just my) dream home in Giralang this week end, for sale by negotiation...

The spec on All homes reads: Architecturally created to optimise space and light this remarkable residence boasts panoramic views across green fields to the snow capped Brindabella Mountains. Complemented by a total solar passive design it offers an ultra contemporary, executive lifestyle that is in harmony with the environment.

Decorated in neutral tones throughout it has accented limed timber ceilings and a stylish use of angles to create an atmosphere of tranquillity and spaciousness. Its sensational and dramatic formal and informal living areas spill out to the front terrace show-casing the breath taking panorama and also to the sunny side deck.

Accommodation is flexible with the potential for two segregated main bedrooms with ensuites or the capacity to utilise one as a consulting area or home office with separate access to a paved courtyard.
Click on the images for more detail and check out more here.
Sounds too faaaabulous... when can I move in?

Diamant Hotel: Design love

Looking for somewhere chic and fab for your stylish international guests to stay while they live it up in Canberra? Look no further, now we have gorgeous modern boutique Diamant Hotel. Designed by SJB Interiors, the new 73 room hotel is a modern extension to the historical Acton Hotel and such, is a fascinating blend of old and new - I am in love.

ps: may I please take home all of the lobby furniture right now?

Perrier Jouet Bar

The suites and rooms

Even if you're not staying in the hotel, you really must check out the restaurants here too.

Du Jour cafe

Parlour Wine Room

Flint Dining Room (the interior is also gorgeous)

The Diamant Hotel is at the New Acton East precinct on Edinburgh Ave Canberra City. Very pretty indeed.

Hot Architecture: Organic Style

Here's more design gold, this time in the hills of Fadden, designed in 1993 by Shane Blue and Rachael Bourne, it takes the greatest advantage of stunning views across the Tuggeranong Valley.

 

The construction of timber, glass and corrugated iron blends into the surrounding native landscape. The energy efficient architecture takes full advantage of the seasons and is the winner of the Royal Australian Institute of Architect's Canberra medallion for housing in 1996.

More information is on the Canberra House website. Gorgeous.

Hot Architecture: Modernism in Canberra

As a fan of Modernist architecture, it pleases me immensly that Canberra has quite a wealth of dead sexy modernist homes - well, in between the 'ex govvies' and cottages that is! Cast your eyes over these lovely examples...

The ‘Fenner House’ (above) at 8 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill.The house is one of Canberra’s best examples of the post-war Melbourne regional style with its long unbroken roofline, widely projecting eaves and large areas of timber framed glazing. It was designed by Robin Boyd in 1952–53 for Professor and Mrs Frank Fenner and built by Karl Schreiner in 1953-54.

The Cater House, (above) at 145 Mugga Way, Red Hill, was designed by leading Sydney architect Russell Jack of Allen, Jack and Cottier in 1965. The house is an example of the late twentieth century Sydney regional style.The Cater House is listed on the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. It is regarded by the RAIA as an excellent example of the late twentieth century Sydney regional style and was an advanced design in Canberra at the time of its construction.The house is innovatively designed to give privacy, good aspect and views over Canberra. It was awarded the Canberra Medallion for 1965.

19 Downes Place, Hughes (above) was designed by Enrico Taglietti in 1965. It is an excellent example of Taglietti’s sculptural organic style of architecture with its asymmetrical massing, horizontal roof planes and horizontally boarded fascias and balustrades.The House is listed on the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. The house was an innovative and very different house for its time and is an excellent example of internationally renowned architect Enrico Taglietti’s unique sculptural organic style.

Information and Images courtesy of Canberra House website here, view Martins Flickr stream for more beauties here. Thanks Martin.