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Collection by Jami Smith

A Suspended Home Extension in Australia

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Lennox Head in New South Wales, Chris Knapp, a working architect at Built-Environment Practice, designed a suspended slab-concrete addition to a private Australian residence.

The 500 square-foot geometric unit, known as the 'Dragonfly' serves as a guesthouse and retreat complete with a full bathroom, garden patio, and sauna. Inspired by the homes natural surroundings, Knapp relied on sustainable and durable materials that would rightly reflect and respond to cyclical seasonal changes including climate and light fluctuations.

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The private addition is tucked beneath the primary home complete with a garden patio, sauna, and outdoor shower. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
The private addition is tucked beneath the primary home complete with a garden patio, sauna, and outdoor shower. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
Due to the specific location Knapp intended to emphasize the indoor-outdoor relationship of the unit with the environment. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
Due to the specific location Knapp intended to emphasize the indoor-outdoor relationship of the unit with the environment. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
Integrating the unit into the landscape, Knapp clad the exterior in natural copper. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
Integrating the unit into the landscape, Knapp clad the exterior in natural copper. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
The residents wanted a space where guests could stay throughout the year which could also to be used as a functioning retreat from the main house. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
The residents wanted a space where guests could stay throughout the year which could also to be used as a functioning retreat from the main house. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
This project engages the occupant in a dialogue between extensive views of the Pacific Ocean and Lennox Head, in contrast with immediate snapshots of the rocky hillside on which the project is grounded,” Knapp says. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.
This project engages the occupant in a dialogue between extensive views of the Pacific Ocean and Lennox Head, in contrast with immediate snapshots of the rocky hillside on which the project is grounded,” Knapp says. Photo by Owen McGoldrick.