Ballandean House by Arkhefield

Architects: Arkhefield
Location: Ballandean, Queensland, Australia
Project Team: Andrew Gutteridge, John Croser, Steffen Tuck, Justin Boland
Project Year: 2006
Photographer: Scott Burrows, Aperture Architectural Photography
Architect Homepage: www.arkhefield.com.au

The Tobin Winery is located on a North facing gently sloping site on a vineyard in the heart of the Granite Belt. The vineyard merges with remnant scrub that borders a creek while occasional protrusions of the local granite punctuate the landscape. With Sundance Road dissecting the site, the house is located at the top of the site, looking down over the vines, road, and creek to the distant hills.

The form of the house was driven by respecting the aspect, framing the view, and the making of place by casting a strong shadow under the continuous overhang. By folding the roof down at both ends the ‘shed’ is referenced and the notion of shelter is celebrated. The strength and solidity of the helmet roof is a response to the harshness of the climate and toughness of the landscape.

As opposed to touching the earth lightly, the solid form grounds itself and creates a sense of stability and resilience. Services are relegated to the lower black boxes, with the living/sleeping spaces enjoying the soft southern light through the roof skylight that manifests as a lantern and entry marker at night.

The poles, water tanks, awnings and pool employ the ‘homestead’ strategy to define the external rooms. In time, the landscape will grow and ancillary structures will evolve to breathe life into the interstitial spaces.

The organisation of the house is divided into the private residence and the Bed and Breakfast. It was always the intention that guests could be accommodated separately or that the house could be opened up to house the extended family at Christmas and gatherings.

The location was a cost factor along with the need to secure a lump sum contract. The contract was negotiated with a local builder and the scope of work was cut back to meet an acceptable figure. Originally another structure was planned which was in line with the poles. This was a garage for equipment and storage. The garage along with the pool and landscaping were removed from the contract.