James Russell Architect

James Russell
James Russell Architect 

Leading architect James Russell's private home won major awards and was featured in leading Australian and international magazines, but it wasn't quite finished until he made the final adjustments three years after the home was completed.

The inner-Brisbane home in Queensland, Australia, created between two heritage-listed buildings on what was once an old car park, is full of unique touches including a central open air grassed courtyard surrounded by rooms and living space.

But the beautiful home was attracting some unwelcome visitors - mosquitoes.

"When I designed the house there was nothing available that screened the opening to the courtyard without being invasive," James said.

"It was important that nothing obstructed the relationship between the house and the open outdoor space."

The availability of the screening system from Centor three years later excited James so much he reemployed the builders to make some adjustments.

An architecturally designed retractable insect screen for large doors and windows, the Centor system includes single span screens up to 3.05m high and 7.4m wide that retract invisibly into the door frame.

As they can be fitted to any existing door or window, James was able to design them into his existing home with minimal adjustments made to the foundations.

"Builders removed small sections of timber and flooring to install the tracks and storage space for the screens.

"As there are no panels or mullions in the screens there is nothing to impair the view or break up the scene."

James feels the screens are almost unnoticeable.

"After you've looked into the courtyard there is no memory of the screens you have just looked through. Even inside, we feel we are living in a veranda space," James said.

James' screens are 4.35m wide and 2.4m high and are located at both ends of his courtyard, protecting the kitchen area at one end and the living space at the other.

"Because we didn't need the screens for security, only comfort, we hope to leave them open for nine months of the year."

With the summer months being a favourite for mosquitoes after dark, James finds the screen invaluable in protecting his family when needed.

The system is also easy for James's young family to use.

"It slides effortlessly with one finger allowing you to control the house and still enjoy the breezes, fresh air and outside noises."

With an increasing trend towards turning courtyards into outdoor rooms and integrating the outside with their internal lifestyle, James sees the need for the Centor screening systems to grow.

"There is a trend to use big doors and this creates a need for security and the weather to be managed in another way, so that the doors aren't always being opened and closed.

"Wonderful screening is more important than wonderful doors," James said.

"Prior to the arrival of the Centor screen, I couldn't find nice clean screening that also kept the house open."

James' home won the Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture at the Queensland Architecture Awards in 2006 and went on to place second nationally.

His well-established business is renowned for designing unique residential homes.