Sean Godsell is a passionate and dedicated Australian architect who has gained much recognition for his work. He developed his passion for architecture at a very early age being able to recall nothing more exciting than the site visits which he attended with his architect father. At the age of five he had drawn the plans for a house and construction details for a tree house at the age of seven. It could be argued that Sean Godsell is one of the rare few who were born to be an architect, stating in an interview with the ABC that if her weren't an architect he would be "dead" (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2010).
As a graduate he travelled extensively throughout Europe and Japan, studying the exemplar architecture he had learned about at university. He became particularly interested by the works of Shinohara and Ando, much of his designs drawing acute reference to Japanese design methodolgies (Swerling, 2005, p. 14). In regards to the Peninsula House, he speaks about the principle of "Moya" and "Hisashi" which are Japanese design principles that refer to the inner, private spaces and outer spaces of a building. The design of the Peninsula house investigates the similarities between Japanese and Asutralian Architecture, in particular the enclosed verandah of the Japanese house and the sunroom of the vernacular Australian home. "My interest lies in the iconic nature of these elements to both cultures - Asian and European - and the common architectural ground which they afford to the region" (Sean Godsell Architects, n.d).
His designs are contextually responsive, due to his beleif that "architecture beings with a site" (SG book). This belief, coupled with the careful consideration of the purpose of each element of a buildings, through the thorough and concise resolution of the "puzzle" of their amalgamation, results in work that possesses an astonishing sense of "clarity and singularity of image". (Swerling, 2005, p. 22).
Sean Godsell beleives "Architectural space must be confronting. Cryptic. Cause double takes. It must need to be learned. But not quirky. Calmness, not content is the key"(Swerling, 2005, p. 25).
REFERENCES:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (2010).
In the Mind of the Architect: Sean Godsell Architect. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from http://www.abc.net.au/arts/architecture/arch/ar_god.htm
Sean Godsell Architects. (n.d).
Peninsula House. Retreived March 5, 2010 from http://www.seangodsell.com/peninsula-house
Swerling, G. (Ed.) (2005).
Works and Projects: Sean Godsell with an essay by leon van schaik. Milan: Electa Architecture.
As both the Peninsula House and the Isaacson-Davis House had strong relationships with the water, a site which was close to the stream was chosen for the cabin and other three houses. It is assumed that the land would rise gently on either side of the stream. The Mobius House is situated behind the other three houses as it was originally situated in a field-like location with no relationship to any water.
The cabin is situated on the southern side of Smart Stream in Urban Utopia and is oreintated north for several reasons. By orientating the cabin in this direction, it enables the design to take advantage of the views of the water, creating a connection between the occupant and the environment. This connection was identified as a significant focus evident in the design of the Peninsula House and several other buildings designed by Sean Godsell. Due to this recurring theme, it was assumed that environmental engagement is an important value of the architect, therefore becoming a primary focus in the design of the cabin. He also considers the need to protect the occupant from the environment and the weather at certain times, hence the use of shutters that can be opened and closed as the user desires being used in the design of this cabin. The blur of distinction between the function of elements is also a theme recreated by the design of a timber platform with the ability to be either pulled up or pushed down, functioning as either a wall or verandah, either protecting from or engaging with the environment.
Section
