The desire for connection with the environment had to be balanced with the responsibility of protecting the habitat of the local native animals and the realities of bush fire management risk on a forested site.

The owners sense of responsibility, willingness and enthusiasm for sustainable principles and for the environment supported a highly participatory design process in collaboration with Eco-style.

Our brief was for a house sympathetic to the landscape and environment with low visual impact and a low environmental footprint. The owners required a practical, timeless design that allowed for an active lifestyle. While their needs were quite specific, we were also mindful of providing flexibility to allow for saleability, future adaptation and future uses should the house change. Eco-style designed the house to include the ability to adjust the house for aged living as the owners plan to stay in the house for many years, and also that it could accommodate various potential buyers such as those with a young family, teenagers or someone wishing to work from home.

Externally, low visual impact- material and colours sympathetic to the landscape were a key requirement. Internally, understated elegance and neutral colours accommodate the expression of a wonderful collection of art, books and treasured family heirloom furniture.

The house includes a Biolytix All-water-treatment system, on-site water collection, heat pump hot water system, extensive gardens and back-up systems in case of fire or black-out.

As for most of Eco-style’s projects, this house meets the very unique needs and desires of the owner and well as responding to the specifics of a complex set of site requirements.