Fig Tree Pocket

This fabulous home reflects the client’s unique vision for their family’s modern lifestyle. Set in a wonderful area of native bush and protected creek lands, the building floats amid the trees with a simple, yet sophisticated air.

Inside, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, rumpus, workshop, living and open plan kitchen all enjoy an abundance of natural light complimented by the warmth of Australian mixed hardwood on the floors.

Both the living and master bedroom open out onto decks which afford the family outside eating and entertaining areas.

The house is fitted with grid interactive solar power; rain water harvesting and best possible sight orientation to achieve sustainability and low life-cycle costs.

I collaborated intensely with the client in everything from overall layout right down to tile patterns and light fittings, reflecting our philosophy of a customer-centered design.

This house stands as a testimony to the effectiveness of seamless Design & Construct method of project procurement in which the client is assured of seeing their own personal lifestyle choices, budget and aesthetic preferences made manifest in a financially feasible construction.

The design for this particular dwelling offered some interesting constraints: an east west sloping block with a building envelope of irregular shape, a sewer on the western boundary requiring both design and costing consideration, and the need to rotate a building footprint in such a manner as to not excessively interrupt native flora intrinsic to the site and the end design house aesthetics. The final design offers best possible north east aspect for the dwelling. Large areas of glass are incorporated in this face to create passive solar heating/cooling gains. Two 3,000 gallon tanks are positioned under the centre of the house allowing thermal mass gains with the water. Vents in the floor have been utilized to bring the cooler air under the house through the interior and out through

high level louvres affecting a thermal chimney. Need for mechanical ventilation is negated through these design applications.

The Kitchen and living areas are located in areas attracting most natural light whilst bedrooms and rumpus areas are brought into late morning light and reduced western light areas. The land positioned well in relation to a lush green valley on the western side assuring a broad western face for the building could be allowed for with natural shading. The view flowing out from this western face determined the position for the deck adjoining the living. A private master retreat deck is included with access to both the main deck and the workshop below.

The house was constructed using plantation pine and laminate timber products. Exterior lining is in a natural stained shadow clad. The interior ceiling is done in an A grade face ply with T&G hardwood floor to contrast. Wall spaces of large areas have been created in order to house the client’s substantial art collection. Under floor storage areas have allowed maximum use of clear living space. Water treatment plants, low voltage and water efficient taps are fitted throughout as standard for today’s E.S.D requirements. The block is landscaped to allow maximum access to all areas including the underneath workshop and storage areas. Extensive use of retaining walls means the family has usable areas not only around the apron of the dwelling, but also for fully irrigated grow zones and native privacy plantings.

This fabulous home reflects the client’s unique vision for their family’s modern lifestyle. Set in a wonderful area of native bush and protected creek lands, the building floats amid the trees with a simple, yet sophisticated air.

Inside, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, rumpus, workshop, living and open plan kitchen all enjoy an abundance of natural light complimented by the warmth of Australian mixed hardwood on the floors.

Both the living and master bedroom open out onto decks which afford the family outside eating and entertaining areas.

The house is fitted with grid interactive solar power; rain water harvesting and best possible sight orientation to achieve sustainability and low life-cycle costs.

I collaborated intensely with the client in everything from overall layout right down to tile patterns and light fittings, reflecting our philosophy of a customer-centered design.

This house stands as a testimony to the effectiveness of seamless Design & Construct method of project procurement in which the client is assured of seeing their own personal lifestyle choices, budget and aesthetic preferences made manifest in a financially feasible construction.

The design for this particular dwelling offered some interesting constraints: an east west sloping block with a building envelope of irregular shape, a sewer on the western boundary requiring both design and costing consideration, and the need to rotate a building footprint in such a manner as to not excessively interrupt native flora intrinsic to the site and the end design house aesthetics. The final design offers best possible north east aspect for the dwelling. Large areas of glass are incorporated in this face to create passive solar heating/cooling gains. Two 3,000 gallon tanks are positioned under the centre of the house allowing thermal mass gains with the water. Vents in the floor have been utilized to bring the cooler air under the house through the interior and out through

high level louvres affecting a thermal chimney. Need for mechanical ventilation is negated through these design applications.

The Kitchen and living areas are located in areas attracting most natural light whilst bedrooms and rumpus areas are brought into late morning light and reduced western light areas. The land positioned well in relation to a lush green valley on the western side assuring a broad western face for the building could be allowed for with natural shading. The view flowing out from this western face determined the position for the deck adjoining the living. A private master retreat deck is included with access to both the main deck and the workshop below.

The house was constructed using plantation pine and laminate timber products. Exterior lining is in a natural stained shadow clad. The interior ceiling is done in an A grade face ply with T&G hardwood floor to contrast. Wall spaces of large areas have been created in order to house the client’s substantial art collection. Under floor storage areas have allowed maximum use of clear living space. Water treatment plants, low voltage and water efficient taps are fitted throughout as standard for today’s E.S.D requirements. The block is landscaped to allow maximum access to all areas including the underneath workshop and storage areas. Extensive use of retaining walls means the family has usable areas not only around the apron of the dwelling, but also for fully irrigated grow zones and native privacy plantings.