On the Drawing Board 2014

by Adam Hobbs posted Mar 21, 11:41 AM

Lots of things happening in the HJA offices at present. With confidence in the housing market high and increased exposure for the office our project list has been very healthy in early 2014. We have 8 projects in the early design and approval stage, 3 in documentation and 2 under construction.

Our work continues to focus on delivering rational, well resolved accountable new homes and renovations for our clients on the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore. Two of our projects will be featured in the Manly Daily and Inside out magazine over the next month or so which will be great.

Above are a few select images of 2 projects in the development application phase in North Manly. In each case the projects are contemporary additions to existing single storey cottages. Each has a different brief but all are looking to resolve some key planning issues with a focus on value in the design proposals presented.

Curl Curl Featured in Domain

by Adam Hobbs posted Mar 21, 11:21 AM

Apologies for the delay, but a few weeks back our Curl Curl renovation was featured in the SMH Domain liftout that focussed on rear extensions. The extensions successful connection with the rear yard and the simple techniques it employed to manage privacy and breeze flow were mentioned.

The space created has become the most used area of the home with its flexibility, sense of space and separation from the neighbours being the key reasons for its success.

We have started work on a very similar project in North Manly with very similar issues and look forward to refining things even further now having confirmed the best way to go about things. Watch this space!

On the drawing board

by Adam Hobbs posted Oct 11, 03:14 PM

Choosing the right architect for your project can be difficult, especially if you haven’t renovated before or haven’t had someone recommended to you. The basic questions to ask yourself in making this decision would be:

Do I like the aesthetic of their previous work?
Have they demonstrated experience with a project similar to mine?
Have they explained the process, timing and costs of my project clearly?
Are they listeners, will they consider and interrogate my brief to them?
Do they have the relevant qualifications and experience?
Are they happy for me to talk to previous clients?

Feel free to make contact if you would like to discuss our suitability for your particular project. We are happy to visit you at home for an initial consultation to take you through our approach and to listen to what you are trying to achieve.

We are currently working on renovation projects in Davidson, Seaforth, Allambie Heights, Balgowlah Heights, North Balgowlah and Curl Curl all in the $200,000 – $600,000 budget ranges.

We are also in the early stages of the design of a large contemporary new home in Bayview which is very exciting. Great site, great client.

Watch this space.

We continue to pursue our passion for designing striking and well crafted homes for our clients and making the process as enjoyable and consultative as possible. We are continually evolving our presentation processes and are now able to show you a 3D model of your home, from an early point in the design development. This format makes the design much easier to visualise.

Curl Curl Renovations and Additions

by Adam Hobbs posted Oct 11, 03:13 PM

In the case of this house renovation project, we were involved from the Development Application stage, and the interior architecture was integral to the overall function of the space, and how it connected to the attached rear deck.

As the design of internal and external areas was essentially ‘in the mind of one’ the exterior and interior approaches could be integrated. This allowed the joinery to provide not only a functional benefit, but it created a strong material reference between indoor and outdoor.

In summary, if your project does not involve structural changes internally and does not directly link to external areas, then separating the consultants may work. If you are looking for a fully integrated architectural result we would suggest letting one designer with the relevant skills manage the design project complete.

Our recently completed project here on the northern beaches at Curl Curl confirmed the importance of having the same designer manage the interior fitout as well as the broader architecture. As a result, this residential project demonstrated a more integrated and complete design solution.

We have worked on projects previously where clients have preferred to use an interior designer to manage interior fitout separate to the architectural consultancy. This system can work well in our experience if the consultants are aligned in their thinking, and if the architectural intent does not rely on seamless integration of ideas.

Neutral Bay House

by Adam Hobbs posted Oct 11, 03:13 PM

The house was delivered back to the client on time and on budget with only a 1.5% variation to the cost of the work as signed at the time of contract.

It is always helpful when the brief is clear, the selections are made early and the documentation is complete. All of these factors contributed positively to a rewarding project with a happy client and a well considered home that was on time and on budget.

If you are considering the merits of involving an architect to manage your project on your behalf, as opposed to dealing directly with the builder yourself, here are some key questions you should consider:

Do I have the time to visit the site daily and answer questions quickly as to not delay the works?
Can I successfully interpret the drawings and specifications produced to instruct the builder accurately?
Do I have the capacity to contribute positively if a question of design is raised, or am I happy to accept the builders assertions as this is ‘the way we have always done it’?
Do I know what I am looking at when assessing if the home has been built in accordance with all relevant codes and standards?
Do I know what things cost, and how long things should take to build?
Have we renovated before, and am I able to question the builder if something does not quite seem right?

Having a Hobbs Jamieson Architecture manage this process for you will mean all of the above can be adequately managed and potentially save you money when considering your overall project cost.

We have just reached practical completion of a renovation project in Neutral Bay on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. The residential project involved renovating the original home and adding a small first floor addition.

The owners had a simple brief to keep the original character of the house whilst improving the flow and zoning through the dwelling.

House & Garden Feature Article

by Adam Hobbs posted Oct 11, 03:12 PM

Playful colour adds high impact to the renovated 1920s cottage of architects Adam Hobbs and Daina Jamieson. When the couple first saw the then-rundown house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, they jokingly dubbed it The Spearmint Castle, in reference to its gelato-hued exterior paintwork.

The renovation significantly improved the environmental performance of the dwelling and created a more successful link to the flat rear yard that did not previously exist.

While living in the dilapidated house for four years, the couple vacillated about renovating. “At one stage we thought we’d demolish it, but we ended up refurbishing the front section to retain the home’s history and we only knocked off the rear lean-to…” says Adam.

In its place is a modern addition with clear delineation between old and new. Where the original hallway reaches a recreated kitchen, the change is signalled by a hoop-pine veneer door that matches the new joinery. Adjacent to the kitchen is an open living/dining area and, above that, the main bedroom suite. Importantly, the layout has been turned around so that the living areas no longer face the busy street.

Perfectly Formed. Rearranging the layout and rebuilding the rear of this 1920s Sydney cottage has delivered a light, airy home that’s not too big and not too small but just right, writes Judy Barouch.

Our recent renovation of an early 1900’s cottage in North Manly here on the northern beaches has just been featured in the May 2013 edition of Australian House & Garden Magazine.

The project focused on removing the poorly considered additions of the 1970’s and replacing them with a contemporary home addition that deliberately separated itself materially from the original part of the home that was retained. A more traditional approach was taken for the interior design of the original section, offset by a modern renovation at the rear.

Hobbs Jamieson Wins MBA Award

by Adam Hobbs posted Oct 11, 03:12 PM

The residential apartment project consisted of 19 dwellings with a small commercial component in a 3 storey development. The apartment building has a number of passive environmental strategies in its make up and a clear contemporary approach in its tectonic. The jurors summation of the project when giving the award stated:

The apartments feature a visually interesting mix of materials and finishes, coupled with some striking architectural elements. Construction has been well planned and executed in order to deliver such a distinctive and luxurious complex of buildings.

We thank our client for being true to the original concept and vision and seeking our design input throughout the entire process.

Hobbs Jamieson has recently been awarded, in conjunction with our client Tamarack Developments, an MBA (Master Builders Association) award in the Medium Density Housing category including 5 or more dwellings.

10 years in practice

by Adam Hobbs posted May 11, 03:04 PM

We passed a noteworthy milestone in May this year celebrating 10 years in practice. We have been involved in over 200 residential projects of varying scales during this time. Beginning as a humble 1 person practice in a shared design studio in Surry Hills in May 2003 and growing as large as 7 people at one stage. Now the 3 of us continue doing what we love, creating crafted and striking contemporary homes we are proud of here on the northern beaches and lower north shore.

Over this time, with the help of our clients and colleagues, we have won design awards and been published in varying forms of media. We have established a passion for residential architecture, specifically contemporary homes and house renovation projects on the northern beaches.

A very big thank you to all our clients who have made our practice thrive and be enjoyable. A big thank you also to all my colleagues who have been involved along the way. Thank you Daina, Benjamin, Michael, Joanna, Dave, Sara, Xu, Jonathon, Nikki, and Gemma. I think that’s everyone! Here is to 10 more!