A look at the completion of St Ives House by Common Office in Australia and the preservation efforts for Marcel Breuer’s Long House in Massachusetts, showcasing architectural innovation and heritage conservation in contemporary design.
St Ives House by Common Office Completes in Australia
The architectural firm Common Office has completed a residential project, St Ives House, in Saint Ives, Australia. The project, completed in 2023, features a 440 m² area designed by lead architects Rob Meyerson, Will McKee, and Manuel Hankoo.
Interior design by Design By Jam and structural engineering by SDA Structures supported the project. Civil and general contracting services were provided by NB Consulting Engineers and Its Built, respectively. Edwina Stuart served as the landscape architect, and environmental sustainability consulting was led by Martin Peacock.
The design of the house emphasizes public engagement with elements such as a faux colonnade and a cantilevered entry awning. The home integrates rendered lightweight walls and painted bricks within a geometric composition set against the natural backdrop of a national park. Living spaces are enhanced by a double-height area that takes advantage of solar gains and features an extensive expanse of sliding glass panels.
Breuer’s Long House Faces Preservation Efforts in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Modern House Trust (CCMHT) is undertaking efforts to preserve Marcel Breuer’s historic Long House in Wellfleet. Breuer, a prominent Bauhaus designer, constructed the home as a summer retreat and an example of Cape Cod Modern architecture.
The Trust, headed by Peter McMahon, is seeking $2 million for restoration to prevent demolition. Currently, CCMHT has raised more than half of this amount. The house has been continuously occupied by Breuer’s son, Tom, but now requires significant structural and aesthetic renovations.
Experts in modern heritage have been consulted for the preservation process, aiming to maintain the house’s original use as a creative and scholarly space. Key considerations include the integration of Breuer’s original furniture and maintaining the house’s functional elements while addressing any modern requirements for preservation.
