SHADOWclad Case Study: Jordan Residence

Project:

Jordan Residence, Sandy Point, VIC

Architect(s):

Greg Jones & Partners Architects.

Product:

SHADOWclad® Groove.

Awards

Greg Jones of Greg Jones & Partners Architects is in search of a unique idea for every project. The Victorian firm has been operating for over 20 years and this l a test project, the ‘Jordan Residence’, illustrates this drive for originality. A home inspired by the much-loved Franklin Millard caravan of Jones’ childhood, this nostalgic project was realised using the latest in engineered timber products and in architectural design.

The Jordan residence is situated in Sandy Point, just off the main road near Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria. According to architect Greg Jones, it’s a place beachside development has passed by. In the early 60’s and 70’s Sandy Point was a typical beach retreat, and only now is changing. The Jordan residence is one of the latest developments.

For Greg Jones the setting provided the inspiration and the perfect frame for the design of the Jordan residence. The site is nestled in the sand dunes with a number of caravans parked on sites nearby. Using Hyspan LVL in the floor frame and SHADOWclad on the exterior, the house is a light modern construction which was designed to look as if a classic Australian caravan had parked permanently on the site.

The caravan look was achieved with a gently curving roof and by articulating the detail of the house externally to recall the horizontal bands found on the classic caravan. The house has a linear pavilion that is also the shape of a caravan and a garage attached at the front to look like the typical caravan annexe. There is decking to recreate the private space outside, and even an external shower like a holiday site.

The client’s brief was for accommodation for an extended family, an open ground floor living area, with bedrooms upstairs. The large open area at ground level was helped by the extensive decking and large sliding glass doors to the exterior. The house was sited on the block in order to face north and the sun. The south side faces the natural bush and has more intricate openings and detailing to blend with this setting.

As Jones explains, the house is also sensitive to the site in terms of careful construction. The typical lots being developed in the area are around 530 square metres and are semi-cleared. This means they still have the coastal banksias and tea-trees preserved on site and the bore-water too. Jones ensured construction was lightweight and that the house ‘floats’ above the site so as not to disturb the undulating sand dunes and the coastal flora.

Peter Yttrup of PJ Yttrup & Associates engineers selected Carter Holt Harvey engineered wood products in this lightweight construction. Wanting to keep the number of posts to a minimum, Hyspan members were used in the floor. The joists were selected to span across the house with only a central bearer.

The Hyspan joists are light weight and dimensionally stable making construction simple. Delivery to site and handling on site is simplified with these products reducing the impact on the delicate ecosystems.

Being close to the ocean provides an environment full of wind driven salt spray which requires consideration when selecting metal connectors. The salt is not a concern for the timber but metal connectors without adequate protective coatings will corrode rapidly in this environment. Most manufacturers of these connectors have information available on the correct coatings for their connectors via their web sites.

SHADOWclad Groove made up the frame of the bands of the ‘caravan’ exterior, used with Hardiflex to create articulation. Colour was also important with the SHADOWclad with neutral green to match the banksia and tea-tree, and red-brown Hardiflex to pick up the red of the rosellas and the trunks of the trees.

The Jordan residence is one of the newest developments for Sandy Point and sets the trend for innovative but lightweight and low impact construction. The builder on the project was GK & KM Trease Builders.

Responding to the client’s brief, to site issues, and applying the principle of looking for the unique potential of the project, Greg Jones’ version of the old Aussie caravan is really something new.