Design Brief

Situated within a deep set valley carved through Hawkesbury sandstone cliffs, the client was seeking a design that not only responded to the beautiful features of the land but would be a home for generations to come.

The home needed to respond to a difficult climate, very cool in winter and warm and humid in summer with limited solar access; yet it should be sustainable; capture the natural aspects of the site, and above all provide maximum comfort as a family home.

As the family's business was run from the property, the building also needed to accommodate vehicular usage whilst minimizing the amount of tree removal.


The budget for the home was $1,250,000.

Design Solution

The home responds to its environment and draws you into the landscape whilst highlighting the natural aspects of the site using a palette of recycled timber, glass, sandstone and steel.

The building's layout is dictated by an elongated axis to which several pavilion elements would break off the main spine of the building.

This created opportunities for courtyards and service areas, also providing varied aspects for capturing the stunning valley views of the escarpment, pasture lands and the creek.

The articulated plan also created an opportunity to bring direct solar access deep into the house whilst maintaining separable functions of each living zone.

Material Considerations

A light weight structure was chosen in response to the limited access to the site, it also minimized embodied energy, whilst a concrete slab was adopted to maximize opportunity for hydronic heating systems.

With the pavilion style floor plan, pitched roofs brought in height, volume, natural light and solar access. It also provided high venting solutions for humid seasons and maximized cross ventilation and night purging opportunities.


Double glazed recycled timber windows and heavy insulation ensured that the building was a passive and naturally responsive home.

This highly insulated envelope, uses solar hydronic heating as its primary heating source as winter sun is restricted by the high sandstone cliffs surrounding the property. 

Consultants & Contractors

Designer: James Cooper, Sanctum Design Consultants

Photography: Simon Wood Photography

Builder: Steve Mudge, MudgeCorp

 

 

This article was written with the assistance of Building Designers Australia.