Winner of the Prestigious Canberra Medallion | Empire House by Austin Maynard Architects

Andrew Maynard and Kevin Hui touring and discussing Empire House in Canberra, Australia by Austin Maynard Architects. Recipient of the prestigious Canberra Medallion 2019.
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[@3210vca]

There are beautiful houses and there is This Beautiful House..... This is a singularly beautiful, architectural masterpiece of a house. It is so homy, cozy and unpretentious!!!

[@u3017913]

I really really appreciate the separation of public vs private space in this house. I like the corridor of private space terminating in the master bedroom and the termination of the public space in a similar design. It feels really resolved considering it was additions to an existing space. Love it.

[@tarunifalconer]

Congratulations on your award, The Canberra Medallion. The thoughtful detailing is inspiring.

[@washout04]

Such a great house. So glad to see a build where the real brief isn’t “display my wealth”. Let’s be real. That’s the brief behind the brief of most residential architecture in this country.

[@Archimarathon]

In most countries...

[@washout04]

@@Archimarathon that’s fair 😌

[@frankryan2505]

Worked on a few little gems like this in Canberra, around Ainslie and Campbell. Rather than knockdown rebuild or some nasty extension they work with the existing structures and build sympathetically. Love it.

[@u3017913]

And I’m guessing this is called the empire house because it’s on empire circuit which is the bougiest part of town, but you’re right, they’re restrained in their brief and it’s a house with character and nods back to lots of Canberra architecture. The wooden kitchen, putting the new pavilions on old Canberra reds thst were probably made at the brickworks in Kingston… love it. It’s a nod to Canberra not just another stupid McMansion in the middle of town. It possible has facade heritage listing if it’s in yarralumla… but it’s painted with crazy lines which is cool so maybe not

[@u3017913]

It might be in Forrest actually…. 🤔🤔

[@jonathanm9436]

And that's what speaks to me: "every little bit is thought about".

[@tommygrewell2684]

What I really love about this house is how wounderful it is to move around in! All these smaller and bigger spaces, both indoor and outdoor. That you get to move horizontally even as it is a one storey building is very generous! What a joy to get to spend ones time there! Really love the detailing within the tiles and the texture it creates, casting shadows and adding depth while it also gives something for the eye to rest upon. The play inverted and everted both for dramatic effect and practiaclity is fantastic! Great work and thanks for letting us in. To get to experience a buildings this way is such a treat and what a building!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks.

[@kelseyalvesdorosario4422]

I love the discourse between you guys. it’s great to see the creativity and ideas flow~ Such a beautiful home. Many places in Canberra are in need of renovation I hope more people go this route

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks

[@WelcomeToSteph]

AC remote inside the cupboard 😉 enjoying the edge condition as I write this comment! Another thoughtful project, well done AMA and especially Ray on the details 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 if only more people understood how effective you can be by only making just the right intervention rather than knock down/rebuild.

[@Archimarathon]

Requires more thinking and skill though.

[@WelcomeToSteph]

@@Archimarathon 100%!

[@ethanscotney9999]

what a great house, such well thought out materials and finishes

[@stevecooper3010]

Great to see a down to earth architect

[@TabbPunk97]

the quote is from austin powers! also what an incredible house wow.

[@SketchyArc]

So much lovely details and the intro is so well done! love how much custom details this project have. it definitely deserves the award it got

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. Yes it is pretty special

[@morneschroeder6255]

AMA keeps hitting the nail on the head with simplicity, detail and human scale! Awesome addition love it! I think the nut comment is from an Austin Powers movie?

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it is

[@admin1376]

loving the banter "you love climbing into bath tubs" "...you love filming me in bath tubs.. so who is the weird one?....." "......" haahhahahahahaaa & love the passion. so glad i came across this channel!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks and welcome. Check out our other shenanigans

[@tamamaster12345]

Hey just wanted to say I appreciate all the work you guys put up, its been very helpful to me as an archi student. Would love to see some content about your typical work flow and sketching tips. All the best.

[@isaaccpt6643]

I'm a true Archi nerd and this is my favorite Archi channel! Much lobe from Cape Town!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks!! Check out our other stuff if you are new. Stay Hydrated!

[@gabybordino6024]

Awesome! Congrats, AMA! Well deserved prize, your houses are such an inspiration What I liked most about the video is that we can appreciate all the movements that have been done to respect the old house improving their spaciality. Good architecture is about making wise decisions with spaces. The details are from another world. So good!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Gaby. “Good architecture is about making wise decisions with spaces.”

[@simeonjamison3034]

The attention to detail is inspirational!

[@vanessaeileen7963]

Sensational work - the award was most definitely deserved

[@mohammadabousaeidi5282]

Wonderful design. This is just the fourth episode that I have watched and I'm already fascinated by your conversation. trying to watch them every morning. As a student who came to Australia recently, the new architectural words and how you describe spaces are interesting to me and by the way you remind me the wonderful times I had with my friends back in my home country. Appreciate it.

[@dmnatr619]

Loving the subtle connections to the existing house and the integration of the new!

[@PhotoAllanRich]

I arrived on your channel via the Chinese Garden vid and quickly getting through all your wonderful tours. Love how there's no cheesy ambient music to accompany your explanations and banter.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. I have been told it put some people off at first that there is no background music and have been asked occasionally to add some.

[@PhotoAllanRich]

@@Archimarathon As much as I enjoy videos from the likes of Local Project I like how you're a bit different. Less stock music and drone shots but more personality.

[@dominicdoyle2895]

I watch a lot of architecture videos and designers. This guy is one of the most creative and thoughtful

[@Archimarathon]

Glad you found us

[@dominicdoyle2895]

I should correct my comment to say that both of you are very creative and thoughtful 👍🏻

[@aoustenaloysious8324]

Brilliant as always, learned a lot. Inspirational, thanks a lot guys.

[@ChrisMewburn]

A lovely and very thoughtful project.

[@joecro15]

Brilliant. Architected the heck out of this one

[@Archimarathon]

📐

[@u3017913]

Upon further reflection it’s kinda like you’ve put on the crowning glory of the public space and the ultimate sanctuary of the private space…. It’s just so cool I love it so much. 👌🏽

[@maxmelser35]

Awesome series. Would love to see a deeper dive into some of the details you've looked at in AMA work (and approach to details in general), I was scratching my head at the junction of wall / roof and gutter!

[@Archimarathon]

very narrow and deep box gutters essentially

[@johnconnoley2210]

Thank you for the ongoing inspiration AMA. Can’t get enough of your innovation and design. As usual always the quirky tour from you guys, more house tours guys 🙌

[@imadasmone8915]

Detailing, when reinforced by a concept... 😍😍

[@Archimarathon]

Yes. So important.

[@clararen293]

Wow, This is truly amazing!

[@Archimarathon]

It’s well executed design and build.

[@prawiraagung4011]

Great project as always. Congrats AMA!!

[@oliverlondon5246]

I love your work!

[@Joshlama]

Congrats!

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it deserves it.

[@danaesquires7571]

So much better than the local project

[@Archimarathon]

That’s a huge compliment since they are so much bigger than our channel

[@antonio.w2406]

You guys are awesome! This is high calibre content.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks

[@charlespui4173]

It's just beautiful, Andrew!

[@roberttaylor9259]

A little Christopher Alexander with that edge condition comment.

[@SpiritowlTV]

I love these videos so much. As a student it has helped me grow my thought process and critical thinking.

[@Archimarathon]

Have you checked out the others such as Critical Thinking -WHAT WHY HOW?

[@SpiritowlTV]

@@Archimarathon I have, very insightful, I have a bookmark of videos I come back to :) For anyone else: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX_OYoh-jN6oiMU

[@suplee9506]

Great video about an amazing house. Hope to see more of these! Thanks guys

[@Archimarathon]

Check out our previous episodes and also episodes of AMA’s other houses. Some links in the description

[@martymarty8852]

very entertaining...very informative...thank you! "you love climbing into bath tubs - you like filming me in bath tubs - who's the weird one?" that question is just hanging there...and then...and then. "have you seen these tiles?" there's a rhythm to this banter. it's not just the skylight that is cheeky : ) I enjoy the languaging throughout the home tour in terms of elements or motifs conversing with each other. Indeed, the human animal likes to occupy the edge with a cuppa tea. hahahah

[@brettgoyne9761]

wow, magnificient!

[@legaleaz]

Beautifully done.

[@frankiepyke8340]

loved this video thanks

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Wordly goodness ©️ Kevin 😂 Lovely, thoughtful and modest design that evolves from past while still honouring it. Would much rather have this than any McMansion

[@Archimarathon]

©

[@Elenaorap]

I wish I could design such a house someday

[@tstanley1580]

Now that we’re back in lockdown…. I’d love for you guys to do a piece on designing for pandemics and global warming. :)

[@joannaguevara358]

WOW WOW!!!!!

[@mirakarchitect7945]

Oh thats nice, another masterpiece, I learned a lot. Another Comic 🛀 scene; 'who's the weird one?.'😂😂 Awesome ❤🔥🙌🏽

[@Archimarathon]

Andrew is the weird one

[@danaepapadimitriou7257]

i love all of AMA projects! it's amazing to have a guided tour by you guys! thank you! I am wondering how much time has it gone in this project from start to finish (how long did the design phase take ? and how many designers are usually involved for completing such a project having to reach that level of detailing ) I am constantly wondering about how long does it take to design a house like AMAs where it seems like they have thought through every little detail and most of all executed so nicely ... ( i usually seem to struggle with time and i don't seem to understand yet if it's me that is too slow🙃😇 or the clients are too demanding 🤔)

[@omkhasni]

I love it so much ❤

[@gerardviccars4713]

Great video and beautiful project giving some love to Canberran heritage. I am researching cladding options for our own Canberra project and love these shingles! Who is the contractor? Can you say?

[@Archimarathon]

Have to ask Andrew for that one.

[@MrPelikan500]

just an example... 11:45 appreciate the design by Ray Dinh, cut & folded plate shelf ... but kudos to the builder also, to get the tap mixer positioned exactly first before the finishes ... hope the builders also got a medallion for the construction ... there is a material & labour cost of construction ... but this project must have had a large (hidden) time cost by both architects and builder during design, documentation & supervision ... can imagine the house owners lucked out on getting just a bargain ...

[@Archimarathon]

I think the builder and trades geeked out because they often don’t have this kind of opportunity

[@dianafridabtmfrid923]

Austin is such a cool dude i love him

[@Archimarathon]

You meant Andrew Maynard? Or you meant Mark Austin?

[@paulajf4205]

Wow, architects with personality and a sense of humor- how refreshing. And, love the house, with the master bedroom addition. although a bit confusing- was that bathroom in the addition next to the master bedroom or did they go back in the main house? Also, a bit odd that a bathroom window would be at same level as toilet.

[@Archimarathon]

It’s in the new volume. It’s on your left after crossing the glazed bridge.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Nice to see a roof made without all the gaps that allow in all kinds of creatures. My biggest gripe is how poorly made roofs have been made in Canberra, guaranteeing possums in the attic, in the walls, etc.

[@Archimarathon]

It is the “bush capital” afterall.

[@sats_nak]

3 years late, in a nut shell, it's from Austin Powers! Surprised that's not the top comment :D.

[@clawrence034]

We'll sell you the whole addition, BUT YOU'LL ONLY NEED THE EDGE!

[@computationdesign]

Wow

[@hugovontirol9709]

nice design! do you have an idea what the costs would be if such house is built in the Philippines?

[@arnasagen8077]

If this reaches you, Andrew… What did you guys do to avoid the bridge connecting into the master bedroom becomes a sauna in summer? It’s facing north, isn’t it? I would love to incorporate this kind of glazed links into my uni project, but obviously have to avoid cooking my imaginary occupant 😂

[@samztang953]

Ooooh, now I know why houses in Canberra are so expensive!

[@kaalilakdi2473]

How were those steel shingles cladded? Is the cottage a steel frame, aluminium frame or wood frame?

[@matijazorko5705]

Bath scene +

[@ПетроФостик-ж4д]

How were the patterns bent at the junction of the roof and the facade?

[@ayomidebamise9853]

God is in the details.

[@Nynke_K]

Greetings from the Netherlands, where I grew up in homes heated to 18°C but my partner (the son of a Scandinavian neonatal nurse) has got me accustomed to 22°C... Question: what is the normal temperature in those Australian 'hard tents'?

[@Archimarathon]

Depends where. 15? Just a little warmer than outside

[@Nynke_K]

Wow, 15! That definitely sounds like time to switch the heating on anywhere in Europe

[@jonathanm9436]

I believe the usual office space is around 21℃. At home I prefer slightly cooler - our floors in Canberra are heated also - about 18. At 15℃ I'll be wearing jumpers - not uncommon to do though.

[@tstanley1580]

I’ve always explained to my friends the difference in housing in winter is generally - in London you go inside to get warm, in Sydney you go outside to get warm.

[@hurtecho]

...was this also the origin of the #GoldenWookieCookie thing?

[@Archimarathon]

No the wookie cookie was the job interview episode. Sketchy was the one who made the golden version

[@MrDavidPrime]

Austin Powers

[@ronbrown2414]

Nutshell!

[@amymohanty1045]

Very clever... But Windows still look boxy..very old

[@urbancolab]

Austin powers

[@1hayes1]

pups

[@MatthewBayard]

If you like Earth you should dislike big houses.