![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-19.jpg)
Kensington Lighthouse by Tandem Design Studio
Tandem Design Studio of Melbourne have completed a house with a wooden interior in Melbourne, Australia.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-20.jpg)
Called Kensington Lighthouse, the building is located on a long narrow plot.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-21.jpg)
It consists of two volumes clad in corrugated metal and connected by a central courtyard, all supported over a concrete base.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-01.jpg)
Light from windows running along the top of one side is reflected by plywood panels covering the opposite interior wall, which curves inwards to meet the ceiling.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-02.jpg)
Photographs are by Sonia Mangiapane.
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Here's some more information from
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“The Kensington Lighthouse is situated on a 160m2 strip of land between a former factory and its kitchen in a dense, mixed-use inner city context.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-07_squ.jpg)
To the north, the neighbouring house presents a 4m high wall overshadowing the site.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-14.gif)
North facing sunshells were created to capture and reflect natural light; articulated by exposed timber portal frames lined with veneered plywood panels.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-15.gif)
On the exterior, the shells were clad in a lightweight metal skin of dark grey and deep blue corrugated metal; creating the roof and south façade.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-11.gif)
On the north, west and east patterns of double glazed glass and translucent polycarbonate panels frame views and admit light while preserving privacy - the translucent skin capturing shadows of nearby trees, the variance of clouds passing overhead and filtering light to the interior.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-12.gif)
The house is made from two sunshells connected around a courtyard - with a solitary coral bark maple - by a rectangular timber lined volume running the length of the north boundary.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-08.gif)
Floating above a polished concrete platform; the west sunshell shelters entry, lounge, kitchen, double height dining space on the lower level - and study, guest bed and bathroom on the mezzanine.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-18.gif)
The east sunshell; across the courtyard and on a mid-level spanning between V-column and north boundary wall; houses the master bedroom and en suite. Below is a double carport accessed from the rear lane.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-13.gif)
Concertina doors open from the master bedroom and dining room across the courtyard; creating a series of continuously linked open platforms in summer.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-17.gif)
To the west; 3 pivot doors connect the lounge to the front garden while creating privacy from the street.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-16.gif)
Opening windows - on the lower, southern façade of the sunshells, and the upper northern glazed face - regulate naturally occurring ventilation across the shells; and combine with thermal mass of the heated concrete slab to control temperature and ventilation.”
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Kensington-Lighthouse-by-Tandem-Design-Studio-09.gif)
Project title: Kensington Lighthouse
Location: Kensington, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Architects: Tandem Design Studio
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