Sally Holbrook is an architect undeterred by a challenge (!), and inspired by progressive and practical design.
She talks with us about the evolution of ‘Perf Pad’, empowering women in the fields of architecture and construction, and her approach for designing buildings with ‘function and heart.’
Can you tell us a little about NORTHBOURNE Architecture + Design, and your professional practice?
I established Northbourne Architecture + Design in 2014, inspired after working in an all-female architecture practice. I am interested in the development and promotion of women in the architecture and construction industry, and innovative and sustainable architecture. I am super passionate about interior design – how interiors speak to, and build upon, the shape of the building.
How did you approach the design for the ‘Perf Pad’?
Our focus was on quality, not quantity – our approach was to achieve more with less.
A functional, flexible, light-filled home suitable for both budget and requirements of a growing family was achieved with just a small first-floor addition and simple, yet carefully crafted re-plan of the existing home and outdoor space. The perforated exterior skin softly envelops the home, washing the spaces and inhabitants with a rhythmic dappled sunlight.
And what was the most challenging aspect of the project?
One of the important design strategies was to create a sense of privacy without severing access to sunlight. Perforated metal cladding was used to achieve this, however, due to the nature of a renovation, where exact dimensions do not exist, the rhythm of the perforations and the continuous materiality was exceptionally difficult to achieve – but definitely worth it in the end.
What have you enjoyed most about this project?
Encouraging our client to reduce the scope of work and to take a ‘less but better’ approach was not only a fiscally rewarding outcome for the clients, it meant greater consideration and care could be applied to a smaller area, to make the project work more efficiently and effectively. We found this to be a very rewarding and satisfying outcome indeed, and the clients are super happy too, it’s a win win!
