Welcome David & Helen.
v
v
​v

Our concept frames a grounded home that offers sanctuary and warmth. It's a place of peace, flexibility and celebration. This is a retreat that feels intimate when needed and expands to accommodate the tribe when the time comes. 

The design is guided by two organising principles:
1. Unique, interconnected external spaces.
2. Flexible and cosy interior nooks.

The design is site specific for the prevailing winds and neighbouring buildings.

Particular attention has been paid to solar gain in the layout of the design.

The outdoor areas are designed to protect from the wind in all seasons.

Views and outdoor areas are oriented towards the North-West. This creates warm, sheltered spaces with privacy and flow.

With your existing house to the West and your new neighbours to the East, careful view shafts have been created to screen these dwellings.

A generous terrace above the flexible garage provides elevated views down the estuary and shelter for the adjacent courtyard.

There are open, visible aspects throughout the buildings to create coherence between indoor and outdoor space.

Summer solstice solar study.

Winter solstice solar study.

We use a holistic design approach to sunlight and warmth so your home is comfortable and energy-efficient in all weather and seasons.

This modelling considers ideal solar gain for each space, e.g. the kitchen is a space that is activated at least three times a day and everyone loves a sun-filled breakfast nook. This has been achieved through orientation, apertures and location within the building. 

Sun hits thermal mass throughout the day, warming dense materials that release heat in the evening.

Uniquely proportioned eaves ensure well-lit, warm living in Winter and respite from harsh rays during Summer.​

The building is an encampment of structures, reflecting summer days of flexible living.

At the heart is the kitchen, designed for ample storage and accessibility. The kitchen island bridges indoor and outdoor living. It's an invitation to a morning coffee in the sun or casual evening dining outdoors.

Morning or evening, the kitchen is the hub of sociality and daily life. Essential electrical, heat and water systems are congregated to conserve energy and centralise utilities.

Looking East from the kitchen to the morning courtyard.

Looking West from the outdoor kitchen island through to the swimming pool.

Local timber, rammed earth and marine grade fixings are local materials that are durable and good for the Earth.

Interiors seamlessly unfold into the environment. Each space frames a well-proportioned view of the olive grove.

The perfect home is balanced by interstitial spaces that weave together privacy and interaction.

A generous rammed-earth walled fireplace frames a windowed nook to view the stars. It's a sun-trap on cool, Winter days.

Passages through different living areas are illuminated throughout the day to create spaces that feel dynamic and alive.

Sun fills the lounge to the North. We find a fireplace, bookcase, storage for toys and window seats that convert to four single beds. This living space is adaptable so it feels both connected when socialising and a private place to retreat with a book. During the day, the dense, rammed-earth walls absorb solar energy and radiate warmth back into the house in the evening. 

The guest cabin and media snug takes full advantage of long views through the olive grove. A central wall absorbs heat and shelters a private portico from the wind.

​The detached and non-rectilinear form of the cabin creates an optimal acoustic environment. The flexible space includes an ensuite bathroom and fold-down bed, perfect for use as a guest wing or for stand-alone accommodation.

By avoiding rectilinear forms we negate the need for more complex acoustic treatments such as bass traps and quadratic diffusers. 

Warm and natural materials define the palette: Rammed Earth for thermal mass, Japanese Cedar for enduring cladding, marine grade colorsteel for a maintenance free roof and naturally pigmented concrete for hard wearing surfaces.

Room for two or many more, each space has the option for catering for guests in different ways. From Bunk beds to devans to nooks, guests have a range of options for sleeping.