Legana’s natural landscape is the foundation for the state’s latest piece of award-winning architecture.
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A Kardinya Close house on the edge of the Tamar River has won Best New Entrant at the National Think Brick awards.
It also received a high commendation in the national masonry residential category.
The award was a coup for Launceston’s Honed Architecture and Design, which received $10,000 prize money for its 1960s California-inspired design.
Managing director Michael Bernacki said the recognition came in the midst of illustrious company.
“We were definitely up against the elite in the masonry residential category,” he said.
“Some of the homes cost up to $5 million, and this one was less than $1 million.
“The awards are all about the theory and use of brick in the house.”
The awards are all about the theory and use of brick in the house.
- Michael Bernacki
Mr Bernacki was approached to design the house in 2016 by John and Cynthia Wagner, a retired couple who share a passion for American architecture.
After bonding over the work of residential architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentice Richard Neutra, the planning began for a one-storey house that would maximise the view of the waterfront.
Other criteria for the house included complete privacy from the street and breezeway separating the garage from the living quarters.
What followed was an eight-month design process during which John Wagner travelled to California to visit Richard Neutra’s son Dion.
Mrs Wagner said they were inspired by architecture which took advantage of the surrounding environment.
“Having lived in area for a while, we knew where it was windy and also where it was cold,” she said.
“This design allows for a lot of light while also being very private.”
The house is built on one of the many large blocks of land that make up the precinct.
Mr Bernacki said Legana had become an attractive prospect for people looking to build.
“Not only do you have the new town centre coming through, but you don’t have to travel far if you want to go down the river, and there is the Frankland Highway if you want to head to Devonport.
“This block of land is a decent cost, but cheap compared with what the other ones surrounding it are going for now.”
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