An award-winning Illawarra studio is a contender for a national architectural accolade.
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The 'Blade House', designed by Thirroul-based TAKT Studio for Architecture, has been shortlisted in the 2019 Houses Awards for 'New House Over 200sqm'.
Located on Young Street, Coledale at the foot of the Illawarra escarpement, Blade House was designed to accommodate a family of four with a secondary dwelling.
TAKT founders Katharina Hendel and Brent Dunn said seeing the Blade House shortlisted for the award "shows that architecture in the regions has evolved with the demographic and a local response to site and lifestyle holds value, regardless of location".
TAKT used vertical blades on the northern face of the dwelling to draw light into the home, which runs parallel to both the escarpment and the ocean.
The home was built by a local team with assistance from the client and using a palette of concrete, timber and glass.
Ms Hendel said designing the home, the construction of which was completed about six months ago, was a "labour of love".
"It was a drawn-out planning process, but we're very pleased with the finished product," she said.
Mr Dunn said the home is built on a constrained corner block where a steep south-facing slope, ocean views and solar access are all at odds with one another.
"In response, a raised ground plane was developed. Below this is garaging, storage and a secondary dwelling for visiting relatives and friends.
"Atop sits the larger volume of the house, running north-south, pushed west to create a large courtyard for outdoor living to the east aspect toward the Tasman Sea.
"To collect the sun, the western elevation is composed of strong vertical blades, opening to the north and protecting from the afternoon heat. The east elevation continues the guiding of views, and filtering of light through a transparent covered, planted verandah.
"Ascent to the platform via a concrete stair under transparent balcony is not dissimilar to many of the ascents on the surrounding escarpment bushwalking trails."
The Houses Awards celebrate Australia's best residential projects.
Now in its ninth year, 502 entries were submitted in 2019 - five per cent more than the previous year.
The award winners will be announced on July 26.
TAKT Studio have been practicing in the Illawarra for more than ten years.
In 2017, Escarpment House at Thirroul by TAKT was recognised as part of the Australian Institute of Architects' NSW Country Division Awards.
Escarpment House tied with a Byron Bay residence for the title of best new home in country NSW, after it was crowned joint winner of the 'Residential Architecture - Houses (New)' category.
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