A Husband And Wife Design Team Create A Tropical Home For Themselves

July 10, 2015

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

 

Husband and wife team, architect/builder Jesse Bennett and interior designer Anne-Marie Campagnolo, have recently completed the Planchonella House, a home for themselves located in Queensland, Australia.

 

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

The architect’s description

Set in tropical north Queensland, the house embraces the heritage rainforest surrounds and utilises experimental passive design methods. The simplistic approach and use of Lo-Fi technologies results in a raw and honest dwelling. Contours of the site ridgeline have formed basis for the playful lines utilised in concrete profiles.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

As not to protrude out with the ridge, the profile is mirrored and cuts back in to the ridge. Visual amenity from surrounding lower areas has been maintained with this design in that rather than creating a dominant form on the landscape, it tucks back in at the critical highest most revealing point. The wings created each side of the ridge float into the surrounding rainforest and become part of the tree canopy.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

The large flat roof with generous overhang acts as a rainforest canopy above, minimal walls and columns in between allow for un-obstructed views and moments to be shared with the landscape.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

This omission of boundaries between inside and outside gives an openness and quality of space that is surreal, living completely within and engulfed by a beautiful landscape. The resolution of plan follows a purely functional approach to use of space, privacy, visual connection and passive design principles.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

The plan wraps around the courtyard space, which is considered the second hearth (after the kitchen) or perhaps lungs to the entire dwelling. The courtyard contributes much to the house and its occupants, it is an oasis that provides sun, light, ventilation, happiness, activity, visual stimulation, and entertainment.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

It also provides connection to the surrounding rainforest, connection from one part of the house to another, and acts as the focal node to the promenade experience of moving through the house.

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett & Anne-Marie Campagnolo

Architect & Builder: Jesse Bennett
Interior Designer: Anne-Marie Campagnolo
Photography by Sean Fennessy