Through the employment of brickwork in the Beal residence, isolation and austerity meet extravagance of the most refined nature. The innovation here is about sparseness and purity; with the rhythm, massing and discipline of the brick, as the guiding tool through which this truly tranquil space has been formed.
Masterfully executed the brickwork would have been unimaginable if it were not for the skills and experience of the brick contractor. The fineness of detail and celebration of junctions has been accomplished at vital moments- the stair edges, the linear water feature, and where the two storey steel posts impact the stair platform. The ease by which the final composition sits belies the complexity of the challenge associated with the employment of extruded bricks.
The new interventions are composed of two new parts- one to the front and the other to the rear of the residence. A feeling of monolithic integrity pervades these small but precise outdoor interventions. The rhythm and massing of brick platforms and staircases bookend the main living area of the residence, tying the raised building inextricably to the ground, while connecting and extending the interior and exterior spaces.
The guest is greeted by the front staircase, a cascade of brickwork that flows down to a grassed terrace enticing the occupant to explore the surrounding landscape, reminiscent of the manner in which an Indian ghat cascades gently down to the water's edge. Off the interior dining area, a brick platform precariously cantilevers 900mm from any support and floats on a bed of light at night.
Inspired by Michelangelo's staircase of the Campidoglio in Rome, a discipline of 150 riser and 300 tread, was used throughout the project's staircases. The challenge was thus to bend the brickwork to the will of this discipline without the outcome looking awkward or misplaced. In addition to this challenge, the staircases employ both external and internal corners. In order to utilise the richly coloured extruded bricks, masterfully executed cuts were employed to great effect. A shadow-line has been located between the vertical and horizontal faces of the staircase. For the treads, a series of layered rather than mitred corner situations, allowed the brickwork to seemingly flow around the corners unscathed by awkward junctions. In addition the selected grout reinforced the stoic nature of the overall composition, while still maintaining the human scale inherent in brickwork to prevale. This specialised acrylic grout also allowed for movement of steel to brickwork junctions without cracking; an impossible result if traditional mortar and lime mixes were used.
A linear water feature frames the rear brick platform on one side and extends out to the entry gate which is framed by a wall incorporating a raised planter box and mail box. The brick seat plinth that terminates the water feature and acts as a place of welcoming repose for waiting guests. To protect the terminating brick seat at the end of the water feature, a rebated shadow-line of brickwork captures and directs water to escape during times of deluge. The tiled water feature laps precociously at the edge of the brick platform, while on another edge the brick returns down to the ground specifically devised to equate to the height of a seat and to encourage informal discourse. At the entry to the interior, a coir mat has been rebated into the brickwork, resolving the height of this platform to be at once uniform.
A spacious, quiet aura pervades this new architectural intervention. The brick staircases, platforms and edges engage the occupant with the richness of its surface and the sense of touch, as they repose in contemplation.