A modular home set into the pastoral countryside in Orange, NSW, Kangaroobie House was constructed from fully-welded structural steel frames and fabricated offsite in 12 weeks. ‘Our homes are are fully finished in our factory prior to being delivered to site,’ explains Modscape managing director Jan Gyrn. ‘All of the painting, tiling, cabinetry etc., is complete before leaving the factory. This minimises the amount of time required onsite and ensures we have a high level of quality control.’
However, this Melbourne-based architecture practice do not subscribe to a one-size-fits-all philosophy, taking cues from the qualities of each site and the personalised requirements of their clients.
The client brief for this Sydney family was for an energy-efficient second (weekend) home that maximised the beautiful valley views. ‘Sited on a ridge, the form of the home follows the lay of the land and is orientated to take advantage of the beautiful views towards Mount Canobolas,’ explains Gyrn.
‘In addition the clients engaged Modscape to conduct the construction offsite in a controlled factory environment to eliminate potential weather delays (owing to the high altitude, in winter the area frequently gets frosts and often snow); and to erase the task of coordinating multiple trades (which is difficult in a rural setting that’s close to four hours’ drive from their permanent residence).’
From a planning perspective, despite the modularity, Modscape are able to work with great flexibility. ‘There is no set module size or shape so there’s great flexibility in the design,’ explains Jan. ‘Modules can be placed side-by-side or end-to-end to create greater internal spaces.’
The Kangaroobie home incorporates three modules, set into a T-shaped plan with separate wings for living, sleeping and utilities. Windows and doors have been positioned to maximise their effect as frames to the landscape, leveraging the majestic valley vistas.
INFORMATION
-
Samuel Ross begins a new chapter with Zara: ‘Clothes give you the power to transform’Samuel Ross gives Wallpaper* a first look at his ‘multi-chapter design dialogue’ with Zara, which begins with a clothing collection launching this February
-
A new lakeshore cottage in Ontario is a spectacular retreat set beneath angled zinc roofsFamily Cottage by Vokac Taylor mixes spatial gymnastics with respect for its rocky, forested waterside site
-
Steve McQueen presents a portrait of protest in BritainTurner Contemporary’s groundbreaking exhibition Resistance reframes the history of protest, reminding us of photography’s political potential
-
Palm Beach Tree House overhauls a cottage in Sydney’s Northern Beaches into a treetop retreatSet above the surf, Palm Beach Tree House by Richard Coles Architecture sits in a desirable Northern Beaches suburb, creating a refined home in verdant surroundings
-
Year in review: the top 12 houses of 2024, picked by architecture director Ellie StathakiThe top 12 houses of 2024 comprise our finest and most read residential posts of the year, compiled by Wallpaper* architecture & environment director Ellie Stathaki
-
A monolithic house in rural Victoria celebrates 50 shades of greyAdam Kane Architects’ monolithic house in rural Victoria, Grey House, is ‘a testament to the power of simplicity and harmony’
-
Is Rochester Street Office a creative worker’s dream? Inside a Sydney workspace echoing calmness and lightRochester Street Office by Allied_Office merges utilitarian design with cascading vegetation, presenting a thriving environment for creativity and collaboration
-
A Melbourne family home draws on classic modernism to create a pavilion in the landscapeThis Melbourne family home by Vibe Design Group was inspired by midcentury design and shaped to be an extension of its verdant site
-
Tour Clifton House, an airy Bondi family home, brimming with natural light and foliageClifton House by Anthony Gill Architects is a North Bondi home using an abundance of vegetation to create a slice of privacy within the suburbs
-
Tour this compact Melbourne home, where a small footprint is big on efficiency and experimentationNorthcote House is designed by architects David Leggett and Paul Loh as their own home in Melbourne
-
Bridging Boyd is the rebirth of a modernist Melbourne homeBridging Boyd by Jolson is a modernist Melbourne home reimagined for the 21st century
