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This Zango Cracker Property could WIN you a Double Pass to the Official Skyfire VIP Function held at Regatta Point. <a href="https://zango.com.au/skyfire" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find out more here.</a>Known as an H House, <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">20 Blackbutt Street</a> in O’Connor has been described as “both transparent and blank walled, introverted and extroverted, radical and traditional” by its owner, award-winning architect Joanna Nelson.According to sales agent <a href="/agents/holly-komorowski/">Holly Komorowski</a>, from <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/home-holly/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">home.by holly</a>, it’s a home worth celebrating due to its unique 1959 values, enhanced with a thoughtful renovation that has paid clever homage to its mid-century charm.<div>
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“One of the highlights of this home is how the architects have retained and respected the original design and footprint. Important textural and whimsical details have been lovingly kept,” she explained.“These days, it’s all too easy to just pull these places to pieces or knock them over, and seeing the energy and investment that has been put into not doing that here is really exciting.“It feels beautiful. It’s so liveable.”<img alt="20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-image-0-20240229023203046963-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-ima.width-800.jpg" width="800">The house was constructed utilising an innovative plan that sees two parallel wings connected by a hallway in the shape of an H. Both sides of the house open to private courtyards, providing outdoor spaces that cool the home and invite people to gather.The simple modernist form is sheltered by a towering brittle gum and enveloped by lush gardens on a 754 square metre block.The entrance is to one side via a shady courtyard greened by climbing vines. The placement of a corrugated water tank combined with a bright yellow door and slate crazy paving create a magical entry sequence.“It is in a really nice pocket of O’Connor, on the high end of Blackbutt Street, and there is a real feel of connection to the surrounding bushland,” said Holly.“We’ve had lots of engagement so far, particularly from communities that follow mid-century and architectural homes in Canberra, but I think this will appeal to many people. It’s something different and it hasn’t been completely deconstructed.”The renovation, which included extending upward, was a collaborative effort by Nelson and Nino Bellantonio from AiL Studio and was awarded the Small Project Architecture Award and the Canberra Medallion.“Winning the Canberra Medallion is a real accolade to what Nelson and Bellantonio have achieved here. It is a real acknowledgement of the architectural significance of the restoration,” said Holly.<img alt="Screenshot 2024-03-04 at 10.02.27 am" class="richtext-image full-width" height="530" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_10.02.27am.width-800.png" width="800">Joanna Nelson first found the house in 2004 when she moved to Canberra with her family.She had been in sole practice for 17 years and was interested in collaborating with another architect. She read about one of Bellantonio’s renovation/addition projects in Canberra and contacted him in 2007. By happy coincidence, Nino already had a long association with the H House and had once considered buying it himself.The two architects considered the heritage aspects of the project, preserving and amplifying its essential qualities while providing adaptations for the 21st century.The combined living and dining room has been kept intact with its large windows and flow to a sunny courtyard and alfresco dining.A new studio and balcony sit above the entry hall, accessed via a spiral staircase within the courtyard. This addition gives a light and airy, versatile space with a balcony that looks out across treetops to Mt Ainslie and down to the swimming pool below.“The repurposing of the original brick garage, taking the roof off and recreating it into a private swimming pool was just so clever,” said Holly.<img alt="20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-image-0-20240229023210422514-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="1066" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-ima.width-800_3McnNOW.jpg" width="800">“There is a real Mediterranean feel here with the whitewashed walls and the reflection of the light. It’s quite awesome.”Garden walls provide a sense of containment, and a citrus orchard hedges the rear fence line, providing a bounty of fruit. Vegetables prosper within a dedicated caged enclosure that protects the harvest from the resident possum.The classic glass doors of the garden shed look out to green lawns, while finely worked wrought iron, depicting the elegant form of the ibis, adorns the original garden gates.“As an agency we have sold some amazing homes with gorgeous aspects and this one is no exception. It is great to celebrate them, which is so important about this one – it hasn’t been knocked down.”Holly is known for her love and understanding of this type of architecture in the area.<img alt="20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-image-0-20240229023206128153-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618-ima.width-800_NNyCTTT.jpg" width="800">“Canberra was a city of design after all, and largely constructed in the 60s and 70s, so we have a lot of modernist influenced architecture here,” she said.“There is a lot in O’Connor too, and it developed at that time as a lot of academics were coming to the ANU in Canberra and were willing to build in more experimental ways.”Other features include tallowwood and Victorian ash parquetry flooring, a mosaic-tiled bathroom with an open shower and island bath, and a slate-paved alfresco barbecue area with solid terrazzo seating and under-house storage.20 Blackbutt Street, O&#x27;Connor goes to Auction 10:30am Saturday 23 March.<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/20-blackbutt-street-oconnor-act-2602-96618/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing.</a>Article originally written and published by <a href="https://the-riotact.com/meticulous-simplicity-theres-a-unified-ambience-to-this-award-winning-architectural-renovation/748538" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the RiotACT</a>

O'Connor's 'H House' blends tradition with innovation

With a low, modernist façade, Home.byHolly real estate agent Sally Strang describes her listing, <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">73 Banambila Street, Aranda</a>, as “quintessentially Aranda”.“It&#x27;s understated and blends beautifully with the bush surrounds,” Sally says.“The owners describe this house as a ‘secluded and private cave’, whose modest exterior hides a large, stylish layout and a soothing aesthetic of cool timber and bush views.“For me, the key features are the enormous floorplan with multiple living and entertaining zones, as the house has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and three generous living spaces – but the show-stopper is the spectacular rear yard.”<div>
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Designed by Canberra architects Hancock, Courtney and Renfree circa 1968, the home is north-facing and set on a huge 1191 sqm block.Backing onto a reserve, the property’s vast grounds contain a swimming pool, a covered pergola, a fort for the children to play in and vegetable gardens.When it comes to the home’s living areas, you will come across pale timber features throughout, which Sally says creates a “gentle, welcoming feel”.<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233132965557-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800.jpg" width="800">The second family room welcomes morning light and opens to an eastern courtyard.“It is perfectly suited for a TV, library and music room, with purpose-built cabinetry that provides excellent storage,” Sally says.“You’ll find stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and doors throughout the home.As you come across the expansive timber kitchen, you enter the heart of the home. Sally says the versatile space could host multiple people “while maintaining an intimate, usable feel”.<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233134166960-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800_Dk6aYYO.jpg" width="800">“The tones are warm and earthy with terracotta floor tiles, pale timber walls and black granite benchtops,&quot; she says.“It’s an amazing open space within the family room, featuring an oversized island bench and gas cooking, plus it’s directly connected with a wonderful outdoor entertaining space.“The outdoor entertaining space is protected by a huge covered pergola so you can entertain large groups all year round.”The home&#x27;s five large bedrooms have built-in robes and some have outdoor access.<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233136276581-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800_T0pfKU1.jpg" width="800">“They’re set to the rear of the house, with grey bagged brick walls, bespoke timber cabinetry and striking floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that all connect with the lush rear garden, creating a tropical resort feel,” Sally says.“The vibe is very calming.“The master bedroom is really special – with a massive built-in robe plus ensuite featuring a large light well.”All three children’s bedrooms feature dressers and desks.<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233135719941-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800_i4oVve4.jpg" width="800">On the other side of the home is the fifth bedroom, which also has an ensuite, walk-in-robe and street access.There are many alfresco spaces to enjoy at 73 Banambila Street, too.“To the south of the house we have the generous covered courtyard with two zones: a large space for an outdoor dining table, then a more relaxed lounge area where you might relax with a book or cook up a storm on the BBQ,” Sally says.“The north side offers another paved zone – sunshiny and gorgeous – then to the rear, we have another covered pergola with a water feature backdrop, paved space for another large table, plus, the house has a pool.“It’s an incredible house for entertaining.”<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233140244166-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800_DJQU5Q0.jpg" width="800">Well-maintained, lush green gardens, beautiful gum trees and garden beds ready to plant herbs and vegetables are also featured. A rear gate provides access to walking trails and nature reserves, including Black Mountain Reserve.The home is close to Jamison Shops and Belconnen Town Centre, and an 11-minute drive to Canberra’s CBD.“It&#x27;s a short stroll to the bus stop, Aranda, St Vincent’s Primary School and Canberra High, as well as the Aranda Playing Fields and Two Before Ten Café,” Sally says.<img alt="73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-image-0-20221117233134652241-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957-imag.width-800_giftHA5.jpg" width="800">“Aranda is always popular with families as the school and community are highly sought after, but the area also appeals to lovers of modernist design.“Homes like this don’t come onto the market often.”73 Banambila Street, Aranda, is for sale by negotiation.<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/73-banambila-street-aranda-act-2614-69957/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the the full listing.</a>Article originally written and published by <a href="https://the-riotact.com/spacious-modernist-tropical-oasis-nestled-in-the-beautiful-bush-surrounds-of-aranda/613209" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The RiotACT</a>.

2 news articles with tag mid-century

O'Connor's 'H House' blends tradition with innovation

Deep in Aranda lies a modernist tropical oasis - and it could be yours