This project involved designing a new home on a subdivided block with laneway frontage for a climate-conscious couple with young children. The clients sought a modest, sustainable home that wouldn’t rely on artificial heating or cooling, and could adapt to their family’s changing needs over time.

The resulting design achieves a small footprint, with just 135sqm of floor area on a 470sqm lot. The home prioritizes natural light and a strong connection to the generous garden, creating a living environment that feels spacious and integrated with the outdoors despite its compact size.

The layout is carefully tailored to the site’s topography, with the dwelling and landscape subtly stepping down with the land. This approach creates spaces of varying scales and relationships to the outdoors, enhancing the home’s livability and connection to nature.

The design meets the clients’ ambitious sustainability goals by delivering high thermal performance and a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Water usage is addressed through greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems, with provisions for a future water tank to collect rainwater for use in toilets and laundry. This home serves as a flexible, environmentally conscious base for the family to grow, fully aligned with their values and lifestyle.

Photography by Dion Robeson