Lilypad': a seamless blend of modernist architecture and functionality

Our Northbridge “Lilypad” was highly intricate and detailed in it’s requirements, and featured a vast interplay of building and construction material. Stone, glazing, glu-lam beams, timber and concrete all feature as prominent focal points in this build. The project, noteably, was designed with full accessibility provisions for our client, adding another level of complexity and intricacy to the build.

The great challenge in this renovation was to keep true to the architectural pedigree of a 60’s modernist building and yet bring the building it to life fit for the 21st century. This was primarily achieved by opening up the existing ground floor kitchen / living areas to both the east and west garden areas. Being on a relatively small block the clients and architects were after maximum connection between building fabric and external court yard areas.

Berlina Projects were provided with preliminary plans with both client and architects vision. We were involved during the latter part of the documentation and working drawings stage with both architect and engineer providing technical solutions to the challenging design ahead. One of the main objectives was to construct this unique house within the budget with no additional cost to spare. With careful planning and management we successfully achieved this and further generated savings to the client’s budget.

General materials used consist of cedar cladding, blackbutt timber flooring, sandstone, concrete block, timber walls structure, plasterboard internal linings, colourbond roof sheeting, and cedar timber windows. Finding a company that would manufacture and certify the structural curved laminated beams was certainly challenging.

The beams were not only the main structure but the main feature, which required zero tolerance for error. With 7 companies in Australia unable to manufacture the beams, with the assistance of our timber merchant “Belmont Timber” our successful supplier was found offshore in New Zealand.

From the design, manufacturing through to transportation and installation, the beams were a total success. Some of the innovative construction techniques employed to the project:

The centre roof column serves too functions, 1 - Structural support for laminated beams, 2 – Conceals the PVC downpipes which discharge water from roof into tanks. Built within the structure is structural support provision for a second story, Note: the house was originally designed as a two storey residence but required to be down sized. Consulting with the curved timber beam supplier from; structural adequacy, species of timber to be used, to; transportation, ensuring the glu-lams fit inside shipping containers, storage, cranage and the like Tapered roof sheeting custom made to accommodate the round roofs. With over 70 percent of the house being of timber structure and curved forms fixings, adhesives, waterproofing, all had to be major considerations on the project. The structure was fixed together using galvanised nails, galvanised bugle screws and bolts. We only used polyurethane structural adhesives to ensure maximum flexibility was achieved within the timber elements.

Dubbed the Lily pad house, the project certainly had its challenges but was very satisfying and rewarding for all involved. The client, architect, builder relationship was of a high and relaxed standard which made the project all that more free-flowing and enjoyable for us all.