Portfolio 2016

alexander cassar

portfolio

Unit 5, 12 Keith Street Dulwich Hill, NSW 2203 NSW 2759 Australia tel. 0411 579 569 alexcassar@hotmail.com

contents

student 1-2

a masterplan for balls head

3-4 5-6 7-8

an analysis of the villa savoye the bondi apartments excerpts of writing professional

9 - 10

the marrickville studio

11 - 12 13 - 14

the russell lea house a residence in hunters hill

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the lewisham house

a masterplan for balls head This scheme is the result of a rather ambiguous brief asking for a masterplan for an Experimental Art Foundation on the Balls Head Peninsula in Waverton. The site provided a challenge in its steep level changes, as disabled access was required. The site also has significance as a disused industrial coal-loading site, and local indigenous archeology. The functional requirements were broken into staff, artist and visitor facilities. Through an analysis of existing circulation routes, these were sited appropriately accordig to their function and use. A lecture by then, emerging architect Andrew

This scheme is the result of a rather ambiguous brief, asking for a masterplan for an Experimental Art Foundation on the Balls Head Peninsula in Waverton.

This site provided a challenge in its level changes, as the scheme required disabled access, as well as its historical significance as a disused industrial area and its indigenous archeology.

The functional requirements of the scheme were broken into staff, artist and vistor facilities. Through an analysis

Burns, and an ongoing fascination with the art of Wassily Kadinsky transformed what was initially a diagram, to become the forms of the exhibition, workshop, cafe and living pavillions. These were then translated into sculptural objects, fragmented interventions scattered in the landscape.

The scheme was successful due to its diagrammatic, almost Suprematist simplicity in plan as a means of developing a sculptural form, which would activate space in and about itself.

this page below: section through existing buildings and existing tunnels right: preliminary sketches over: center: plan bottom: section through cafe, ramp and entry pavillion

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an analysis of the villa savoye This was a study of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye. Various mediums were employed as mechanisms to understand the architecture.

The building was studied first as an entity, the whole, and then as a part. The whole was looked at with an emphasis on architectural geometries. This was crucial for understanding the formal composition of the building, the way in which it was sited and structural system.

this page right: axonometric diagram further right: 1:200 model over: centre: 1:50 sectional model

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the bondi apartments Sited on 108 Brighton Boulevard, North Bondi, this proposal replaces the existing, dilapidated 1960s apartments. The scheme was to be in resonance with the new gentrification sweeping through Bondi; a rather sensitive modernist replacement of the beach art-deco and suburban brick buildings. Within sight of Durbach Block Jagger’s Surf Life Saving Club, this architecture was to be both resilient against the weather and welcoming to the public, whilst maintaining privacy for residents. The brief stipulated the inclusion of a cafe and a minimum number and type of apartments. Also emphasized was a strict conformity with council regulations including setbacks, streetscape preservation, overshadowing, privacy concerns, ventilation, open space for residents and public and FSR controls. Overall, this was tackled by stacking a series of modules which could be adapted to various apartment types.

this page top right: perspective of the apartments over: top left: first floor plan top right: third floor plan bottom: long section

The site has sea views to the west, prevailing breezes through the site from the east and major overshadowing issues from surrounding apartment blocks. The scheme utilised these issues by creating a wedged arrangement of stacked modules, allowing for a strong street front, and the introduction of light into two courtyards, one for the cafe and one for the residents, seperated by a level change.

The stacked modules, whose heights are a continuation of the neighbouring buildings, allow maximum light penetration. These are inflected giving the varying rows of apartments, different advantages of ventilation, sunlight 5

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excerpts of writing

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the marrickville studio The brief was for an artist’s studio, and an extension to the rear of the existing detached Federation House in Marrickville. These were linked by walkway of a light timber construction. The DA process was a smooth one, and following the provision of several additional shadow diagrams, Inner West Counil approved the scheme. The CC drawings were then prepared, conjunctly with the drawings for tender. I played a major role in the preparation of the DA and CC packages and the documentation of the drawings for tender, including concept design, drafting and coordination with Council and the client.

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previous page top left: ground floor plan top right: detail of slab setdown and eaves between existing house and proposed walkway bottom: section through the existing house, extension, walkway and studio this page: above: detail of slab setdown and box gutter between proposed walkway and studio top left: detail of cover of proposed walkway top right: skylight detail in studio right: south elevation of studio facing towards existing house far right: short section through studio

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the russell lea house This was a CDC for aterations and additions to a single dwelling house for a young family in Russell Lea. The client desired an aesthetic which was very similar to the surrounding houses, and fit in with the streetscape. This was achieved through the use of a very traditional material palette.

I prepared the CDC drawings for this proposal, and prepared a 3D model in order to allow the client to visualise the finished product. The proposal was approved and is currently under construction.

this page top right: ground floor plan right: south elevation over: top left: front elevation top right: rear elevation bottom: perspective

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a residence in hunters hill This new two-storey single dwelling was for a family in Hunters Hill. This project took the form of two pavillions, linked by a lower flat roof. The client desired a neo-Federation aesthetic for this large light-filled design.

My role in this project was primarily in the architectural visualisation and the preparation of the detailed drawings for tender as well as the coordination of the later stages of the project.

this page top right: north elevation middle right: south elevation right: perspective over: top left: detail of flat roof linked between pavillions top right: timber detailing to front balcony bottom: long section through pool, pavillions, courtyard and driveway

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the lewisham house The was a DA for alterations and additions to an existing semidetached terrace in Lewisham. The client desired an extended ground floor and first floor in order to gain a living/kitchen/dining area and a master bedroom with an ensuite. The client wanted the house to have a raw aesthetic with exposed glass, steel PFCs and exposed brick.

I was involved in this project primarily at the DA stage in documentation and coordination, as well as the prepararation of the detailed drawings for tender. this page right: detail of interface between flat roofs below: long section over: top : ground floor plan centre: first floor plan bottom: north elevation

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