Cummings House
The original house, a precusor to mid-century modernism, was designed by architect Robert Cummings as his family home and built by J.M.Finlayson in 1936. Arcke's renovation to “Cummings House” respects and draws cues from the refined simplicity of this Heritage-listed building. Cummings established the UQ School of Architecture and is generally credited for bringing modernism to Queensland.
The addition of a striking, climate-responsive pavilion to the rear is a symbiotic yet distinct work designed for contemporary indoor-outdoor living. The roof form of the new pavilion references the original house, turning up to the north east and down to the harsh western sun. The pitch of the form rises to meet the angle of traditional tiled roof to allow both to comfortably coexist. The wide, sheltering brim of the canopy is an external space of its own, protecting the jewelled box that is a modest timber room within.
Our clients provided a brief that included the reuse and sympathetic modification of interior spaces with the requirement for additional space. Arcke’s intervention has celebrated the original Mid-Century features, leaving the original idiosyncrasies of the existing house relatively untouched.
The street view of the house has remained, except to reinstate a slender stairwell pop-out to the southern elevation. Moving through the stairs one seemingly transitions from the inside to the outside at the half landing return where views within and beyond site are framed.
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) and Passive Design features
- Pavilion is orientated to catch breezes and block the western sun
- High ceilings and extensive lourved windows channel heat out of the home
- Large doors and windows maximise cross-ventilation
- High efficiency ceiling fans
- All electric heating and cooling
- High wels rating on tapware
- Natural materials including recycled hardwoods and locally-sourced plywood for interiors
- Water tanks and solar panels
This home has been featured in Habitus Living, Mid-Century Home and Grand Designs Magazine.
Awards
2021 AIA Brisbane Regional Commendation - Heritage
2021 Habitus House of the Year - Heritage