Architecture

Hillside studio provides extra space, solar power, and an ocean view

Hillside studio provides extra space, solar power, and an ocean view
North Avoca Studio is raised on steel stilts and cantilevers impressively over a steep slope
North Avoca Studio is raised on steel stilts and cantilevers impressively over a steep slope
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North Avoca Studio is raised on steel stilts and cantilevers impressively over a steep slope
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North Avoca Studio is raised on steel stilts and cantilevers impressively over a steep slope
North Avoca Studio is situated behind the owners' main residence
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North Avoca Studio is situated behind the owners' main residence
North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
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North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017
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North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017
North Avoca Studio includes a bathroom
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North Avoca Studio includes a bathroom 
North Avoca Studio's wet bar
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North Avoca Studio's wet bar
All water from the studio is used to irrigate the fern garden which has been planted under the structure
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All water from the studio is used to irrigate the fern garden which has been planted under the structure
A view of North Avoca Studio's bathroom
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A view of North Avoca Studio's bathroom
North Avoca Studio's wet bar
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North Avoca Studio's wet bar
North Avoca Studio includes a dining area
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North Avoca Studio includes a dining area
North Avoca Studio is accessed by staircase
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North Avoca Studio is accessed by staircase
North Avoca Studio's sliding doors open up to a balcony area
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North Avoca Studio's sliding doors open up to a balcony area
North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
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North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
North Avoca Studio sports a balcony offering views of the ocean
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North Avoca Studio sports a balcony offering views of the ocean
North Avoca Studio was created to allow the owners to work, relax and entertain, while taking in the ocean view
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North Avoca Studio was created to allow the owners to work, relax and entertain, while taking in the ocean view
North Avoca Studio runs from solar power
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North Avoca Studio runs from solar power 
The project received a commendation in the Australian Institute of Architects' 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards
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The project received a commendation in the Australian Institute of Architects' 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards
"Positioned behind an existing split-level home, the North Avoca Studio is almost invisible when viewed from the street, receding from visual prominence," said the Australian Institute of Architects juror
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"Positioned behind an existing split-level home, the North Avoca Studio is almost invisible when viewed from the street, receding from visual prominence," said the Australian Institute of Architects juror
North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
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North Avoca Studio measures 60 sq m (645 sq ft)
North Avoca Studio provides additional space for working, relaxing and entertaining
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North Avoca Studio provides additional space for working, relaxing and entertaining
North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017
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North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017
View gallery - 21 images

This cuboid studio cantilevers impressively over a steep slope above and behind the owners' main residence, offering them additional room to work, relax, and entertain, while enjoying the ocean view. It also features solar panels that produce enough electricity to run both the studio and the main house.

The owners of the aptly-named North Avoca Studio recently relocated from Sydney to North Avoca, New South Wales, and commissioned architect Matt Thitchener to increase their living space.

The studio is framed in steel, features Spandek cladding, and is raised on steel stilts, with access gained from the main house by steel staircase. Inside, there's a total floorspace of 60 sq m (645 sq ft), spread over one floor. It includes a living and dining area, as well as a wet bar and bathroom. The glazing is generous, though curtains can be used to add privacy. Sliding glass doors offer access to a balcony area with views of the Pacific.

North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017
North Avoca Studio was completed in 2017

North Avoca Studio is topped by a solar panel array. We've no figures available on exactly how much electricity it produces, but Thitchener says that it provides enough juice to comfortably run both itself and the main residence, while excess power is stored in batteries. Greywater is also used to irrigate the fern garden planted under the structure.

The project was completed in 2017 and recently received a commendation in the Australian Institute of Architects' 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards.

Source: Matt Thitchener Architect

View gallery - 21 images
3 comments
3 comments
ArdisLille
Looks like something Harry Bosch would be interested in.
Gannet
Clever. I wonder why they didn't make it the same level as the back yard so they could have used the roof as a deck, walk out on the same level.
Gannet
Correction. Because it belongs to the house below, not above as I originally assumed .