Built to the highest bushfire resistance requirements, this off-grid house in the Grampians, Victoria, is a modern replacement for a loved family weekend retreat lost to fire six years ago.

• Designed for fire resilience in a BAL-FZ zone
• Off-grid holiday home for a large extended family
• Simple, passive solar design

The house has no air conditioning; instead, the narrow footprint allows easy cross ventilation in summer months, aided by well-placed ceiling fans. A fireplace in the living room is the home’s only heating.

Photography: Dan Farrar