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The cool new face of coastal homes West Coast architect Greg Jones is again putting a surprising spin on Victorian seaside architecture. This time, the Blakey Residence not only has a stunning ocean aspect, but is also wearing the latest in summer eyewear - a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Greg Jones describes the fun he had creating this effect with engineered building products by Carter Holt Harvey and plywood cladding by woodlogic. The site for the Blakey Residence was relatively flat and though it had views of the surrounding landscape, at Indented Head near St Leonards on Port Phillip Bay, the site itself had nothing special to commend it. In this case the focus of Jones' design was creating 'character' and interest without jarring with the landscape. The solution? With a view of the bay in two directions, the aim was to maximise these views and so Jones suggested to the client that the house wear a huge pair of 'sunnies' that the occupants look through to the broad vista across the landscape and to the distant sea. | "I suggested to the client a level of fun," said Jones, "and so, to design the house as if it had sunglasses on, literally. The house has two pavilions joined together - as the client is considering setting up a B&B - this divides the business and private spaces. Each pavilion is rotated to have different outlooks and the windows of the ?rst floor have wrap around Oakleys on. We were able to do that, having timber windows." | 
| To create the effect of the sunglasses, the façade has three layers - a forehead, cheek and chin reference, each layered over the other. The main bracing diaphragm for the walls and around the windows is Shadowclad and Texture 2000. The different textures of the cladding materials provide a layering effect for the building and allowed for ease of cutting to create the different shapes required around the windows. Shadowclad was used for the 'hairline' to give some textural differentiation from the lower levels that used Texture 2000. The façade was painted purple for the hair, a mid-french grey for the cheek and off-white for the chin. The colour further expresses the layers of the face. Carter Holt Harvey engineered building products were used in the structure of the house. Hybeam Engineered I-Beams normally associated with floor framing were used as purlins in the roof. The curved structure was formed by single spanning the Hybeams across the building. (Connection details for this type of construction can be found in the new designIT software from Carter Holt Harvey.) The upper floor similarly used single spanning members across the 4.8 metres of open spaces below. The lower floor utilised Hyspan LVL supported on external and one internal bearer. The use of timber products in subfloor applications is covered in the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA divides Australia into three climatic zones and provides advice on clearance from the ground and ventilation for each of these zones. The light structure of the floor and roof beams, assist the structure to hover over the landscape. In this case the floor levels had to be elevated to get the view, and will be landscaped to shape it back into the site. It was Jones himself who chose the Hyspan and Hybeam for the job, as he has used the products before and is currently using them in his own house, which is in progress. "They are light, straight and easy to handle and cost competitive against solid timber and other engineered products. And because of the extra depth that they allow, there is also more air space for insulation. Minimum depth roofs are always less effective for insulation." In context, the house is part of a sub-division of well-placed blocks. There is actually little competition or other stylistic influence from other buildings. However, the coastal area is moving ahead with many new developments showing innovative flair and sharing in Jones' pursuit of ideas. Though, one would imagine that a 'face with shades' looking out to sea might be an idea that is hard to go head to head with. 
For further information contact:
Carter Holt Harvey
Phone: 1300 658 8...
Fax: 02 9468 5....
Web: www.chhwoodproducts.com.au
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