PHILOSOPHY

Written by Frank Macchia [Principle Designer]

I am interested in exploring the next phase of the way we live….. in our homes.. in our communities.. on our planet… as part of the cosmos.

My design history has spanned across a few overlapping cultural movements I began designing renovations to Traditional homes - generally character homes in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, then evolved to be part of the Modernist mindset and design with ‘less is more’ as the mantra and finally having some fun with Post Modern no rules deconstructionism adopting the new idea of ‘less is bore’ Over the last decade I have been wondering what’s next? - what’s after Post Modernism? I have noticed that the leading edge of culture is moving into Meta Modern or Integral way of seeing the world so what does that mean when it comes to the buildings we live in? My intuition is that our homes/buildings will now be more about how it makes us feel and less about how it looks. Post modernism for all its good parts had one major less useful side effect of stripping out ‘essence’ the non measurable metaphysical part of our lives. It is my high aim to create homes that allow us to sense something greater and help bring back a practice of contemplation, meditation, reflection in order to ask ourselves the ‘big’ questions that will transform us to feel more, become better people and thrive.

To do this I feel a home needs to hold many paradoxes eg be humble and beautiful, be a private retreat and a space to connect/entertain, be cavelike and open to the outside world, be raw/natural and adopt appropriate innovation, be simple and full of character, be uncluttered and warm, be comfortable and allow us to travel to realms beyond our comfort zone. High on the priority is that our homes now need to be places where we grow mentally and spiritually! A place to feed our bodies hearts, minds and spirit!

THE NEW PLAN

There exists an infinite number of layouts and room functions that are possible during the design process of a home. We are being increasingly convinced of the 'right' size and shape of a standard house, however designing a home is more of a creative process that considers the personalities of the owners and the characteristics of each site.  A more appropriate solution is generally achieved when there is an openness to explore new solutions rather than adopting rigid preconceived rules.

Times are rapidly changing and this also applies in the world of technology, meaning that the way we live in our homes is constantly being updated.  There desperately needs to be a healthy, philosophical discussion about the direction in which we are heading, and whether it all serves our best interests.  

For example there is already an average of seven screens per household in Australia, and this number will more than likely rise; with new technology making it possible to mount a screen onto windows, walls, and any other household surface.

The upside is that we may soon have access to a flexible home/work area as the need to go to an office diminishes. The downside however is that there will be no escape, no break from the constant bombardment of information and emf pollution.

We run the risk of losing control of our mindspace, and handing over to the plethora of special interest groups who are keen to move in there!

A home was once a sanctuary from the outside world, a place we could retreat to process the day and imagine tomorrow.  A balance between external connection and internal contemplation will mean something different to each person. An ideal plan is one that honours the need for privacy, and one that also encourages deep and happy connections between all inhabitants and guests.

The most successful programming of a homes functions are the ones that get to the point more simply and clearly. Simple is timeless, however we also need to be able to pivot easily as external circumstances change around us.

HANDMADE | STICK BY STICK

Our homes are becoming more and more factory processed. Some see this as progress with possible cost saving and less time overrun benefits. I am not so sure about this direction, and in fact I encourage going back to a more hand built on site, stick by stick, brick by brick etc process. The main advantage of this is the ability to more easily work in with the nuances of each unique site; to shape and orient the building accordingly. 

In addition, there is a deeper connection between the home owners and the building process this way, rather than the disassociated factory building method. 

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MATERIALITY

‘Progress’ needs to always be questioned, or we may head somewhere that sucks out our humanity, and this definitely applies to the materials we use to build our homes. 

‘Progress’ is giving us a highly manufactured, sterile and very processed selection of building materials; sometimes producing houses without a pulse.

Humans are generally happiest when we stay as close to nature as possible.  The raw/authentic selection of building materials such as timber, stone, hemp, rammed earth, clay bricks and second hand materials are comforting, relatable and reassuring.  The real joy comes in allowing them to evolve with their natural patina which seems to speak directly to a part deep inside us.  It’s as if we are subconsciously aware of our own ageing and can feel connected to materials which too can age gracefully and in doing so reflect such intense beauty.

Not all processed materials need be discarded. For example, concrete & metal can still weather naturally, and their robustness ensures they survive the ageing process well. 

There is scope also to continually improve these materials so that their embodied energy during construction may be reduced significantly.  

Materials with longer life spans which require less maintenance, reduce the load on the planet and give us more free time. 

Material selection is also about choosing ethically, sustainably and appropriately for the location, climate and budget. There are also many benefits in keeping the selection of the materials as local as possible; not only does this reduce shipping miles, it also helps to foster a rich local vernacular.

PLANTING/ IN + OUT

Blending nature from out to in, creates spaces that allow you to breathe in cleaner air.

For most people, the largest proportion of our lives are spent indoors despite the outdoors often being a healthier environment. It makes sense to bring some of the garden inside: plants reduce VOC’s, and allow us to breathe in fuller and take in fresh oxygen.

Sometimes simply by eliminating one room it allows us to pull the home apart over a site and insert green passages and courtyards to surprise and connect the various spaces. 

The benefits of more natural light, more oxygen, and more visual joy keep us energised and inspired for longer.  

Another useful strategy is to plant gardens with a high ratio of edibles. Herbs can be grown close to the kitchen for easy access while vegetable and fruit trees also remind us of natures amazing gift ability to feed us better than factories. Once these plants thrive so do the occupants; as well as gaining a degree of freedom from supermarkets, sharing with neighbours, friends & family also creates a movement towards a healthier community direction..