A GLENN MURCUTT DESIGN CENTER, KEMPSEY, AUSTRALIA

The Maria River Educational Center derives its layout from the traditional Australian “Home Paddock” farm layout in which all secondary buildings are organized around a primary house, or building. On this site, the existing Marie Short House is the primary structure around which all other buildings encircle. The new center is designed to run with 24 students in residence, professors, support staff, and Glenn Murcutt and his family. Respecting the view corridors from the Marie Short House, the Center is approached on foot from a loading parking lot to the dining and gathering hall. The hall will serve as the central meeting and gathering space, dining, and cooking. Further down the path one reaches the two studios with an adjoining library. These spaces are oriented in the landscape to be well daylit, but prevent direct beam sunlight from illuminating the task spaces. Continuing west, one finds the sleeping quarters, tucked privately away surrounded by trees on the north and with views of the meadow beyond to the south. The sleeping quarters will serve two people per room, with four rooms sharing one bathroom.

DESIGN STUDIO COMPLETED IN PART AT THE MARIE SHORT HOUSE IN KEMPSEY, AUSTRALIA,  AS A PART OF THE MASTERS OF ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON IN SEATTLE.