COURT: A New Lodge for the Australian Prime Minister

Status: Competition Entry

Year: 2013

The idea behind COURT is that it uses simple built forms as frames to enclose a series of landscaped courtyards, each with their own unique character. It challenges the traditional model for diplomatic buildings of the block surrounded by defensible space by using the building to enclose the landscape. These islands of space are established as a counterpoint to the dramatic natural landscape of Attunga Point itself. This sets up a series of interactions between the indoors and outdoors that we believe is at the heart of an ‘Australian architecture’. It was this attitude to the landscape that came to shape Canberra itself, with ideals that every resident should have a special connection with garden and parkland, both natural and artificial, and we felt it was important that The Lodge in some way reflect this ideal.

Site Plan

The siting of COURT was again a response to the beauty of that landscape, and our immediate reaction was to keep as much of the site untainted by access roads as possible

Central Court

Roof Plan

Ground Floor Plan

The 3 courts are used to delineate and organise the programme and make important distinctions between public/formal and private spaces. They are:

A. The kitchen garden & greenhouse, a functional and practical space intended to provide the adjacent kitchen with much of what it needs to feed guests, as well as provide the PM and family with a constant fresh seasonal food supply. Guests are given the opportunity to tour the garden whilst meal are being prepared.
B. The central entrance court and sculpture garden, a manicured space in the tradition of diplomatic landscaped spaces, conveying to arriving guests a sense of formality.
C. The domestic courtyard, a space fully enclosed by the PMs private family dwelling that the family can truely make and call their own.

Long Section

North Elevation

Timber trusses shape the internal spaces

Function Space

Private Kitchen

South Facade