Silvertop House, perched amongst the trees in Melbourne’s green north-east suburbs, is a modern manifestation of the natural living philosophy that is so characteristic of this lovely area.
By using Rylock powder-coated frames in Custom Black and Silvertop Ash timber cladding on a straightforward, floating geometric form, Ben Callery Architects successfully reinterpreted the local natural architecture while creating a residence that blends in with its surroundings.
The four-person owners needed adaptable, zoned spaces for work, play, and creativity. The living rooms can benefit from passive solar gain and unrestricted sunlight while maintaining privacy from the street below thanks to the north-facing orientation of the home and its elevation, which places the deck and living areas in the treetops.
For significant crossflow ventilation, the living room has a 4-panel Stacker Door, as well as large Fixed Lite and Sliding Windows. A highlight Fixed Lite Window that faces east and is coupled with Louvre products, which lets in morning sunlight, is visible through a rake in the ceiling.
The second living room is a versatile area with a Fixed Lite Window and a built-in seat for enjoying the views of the treetops. The bedroom wing, which runs the length of the block and is perpendicular to the living wing, has sliding windows with a thin profile that don’t protrude into adjacent spaces in the bedrooms and the bathroom. An acrylic handle that draws little attention to itself and a hinged dust cover that keeps dirt out of the product’s track while controlling the sash’s range of motion.
While Rylock’s high performance window and door solutions (with Low-E Double Glazing) deliver thermal efficiency for the occupants’ comfort, the majority of the house is constructed from lightweight materials and is heavily insulated.
DESIGNER Ben Callery Architects
BUILDER Truewood Constructions
PHOTOGRAPHER Marnie Hawson
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