The New kids don’t need to run away and join the circus, because their parents built a giant tent all their own. The brief for this home from its owners Nick and Nicole New revolved around open spaces saturated in natural light, enhanced by high ceilings and good airflow. And a generous amount of glass, with doors and windows that open completely, was also a must.

The home rests within 15 acres of sub-tropical rainforest and bushland, on a gently sloping plot enjoying a north–north-west aspect. “Our idea and focus on life so far and for the foreseeable future is largely around the kitchen, entertaining and the outdoors,” explains Nick. “We love spending weekend mornings out on the deck, and envisaged entertaining on a deck with friends and family.”

A built-in open fireplace also ranked high on the News’ wish list, but the majority of “must have” inclusions revolved around the central kitchen and living spaces, with a retractable roof spanning the entire area plus the main and guest bedrooms.

Dan Sparks from Sparks Architects took on the challenge, despite fiscal restrictions and quirky design specifications. “We knew our budget was tight, so we were open to different ideas, like using building materials that may be cheaper,” says Nicole. “This included repurposing milled timber from the block.”

Surrounded by lush, densely vegetated green zones, entry to the four-bedroom home is via a winding, bushy driveway. The common kitchen and dining area opens onto a deck, offering easy access to the outdoor laundry and carport.
The amount of special design considerations within this build rivals the number of endearing bush critters roaming the site. For example, the roof required the bespoke design of a retraction mechanism and engineering of specialised roller tracts and unsupported roof span.

Another special design consideration came when addressing the tent. The tensile membrane needed to be cyclone-proof, so 3m-deep concrete pylons hold the fabric firmly in place. Engineered by Fabritecture in Queensland, the fabric for the tent was imported from France, constructed in Manila and erected in the Aussie bush.

With two young children, safety measures were implemented both inside and outside the New home, the most important of which was fire resistance; a high degree of which was required for local planning permission due to the bush location.

Additionally, the tensile membrane roof needed to be cyclone-proof and
energy-efficient. “We did not want to rely on air-conditioning for cooling or heating, and location dictates the reliance on rainwater and septic,” says Nick. “Ultimately, we plan to be entirely off grid with solar and battery power, but this wasn’t achievable initially due to financial constraints.”

The build remained true to architect Dan’s plans, with minor alterations made along the way. These included a less elaborate carport and the incorporation of curved lines inside the home. “Watching them erect the tensile membrane roof was particularly memorable,” Nicole recalls. “The breeze was picking up and gusts were increasing above comfortable levels. Everyone was nervous as even a small defect would have meant a big step backwards given the uniqueness of design and duration of manufacture invested.”

Thankfully, it all went off without a hitch, and while this might be a first for Australian design, we’re certain it isn’t the last we’ll see of retractable roofs and cyclone-proof tents in domestic dwellings.

The post Open Style Living in a Bushland Setting appeared first on Completehome.

Tucked into a cliff face overlooking Currumbin Creek, this contemporary family home seems to emerge organically from the rustic landscape that surrounds it. Expansive views from the living spaces stretch across the sparkling water to the glittering Surfers Paradise skyline in the distance.

 
Designed by architect Paul Uhlmann, this unique home pays homage to its distinctive and undulating bushland setting — the rustic contours of the hilly landscape inspired its curved form.

 
A distinct design feature, the copper cladding subtly shimmers in the warm afternoon sunlight. “Over time, the copper cladding will dull to an earthy colour to match the hillside,” says Paul. Copper is a building product that is renowned not only for its aesthetics, but also for its sustainability. It’s low maintenance, durable and complements other building materials such as timber, cast iron and stainless steel.

 
In keeping with the earthy colour palette, shades of grey paint were used elsewhere on the home’s exterior to blend into the surrounding landscape.
The contemporary home is set on three levels. On the ground floor, there is car parking, storage and the entry with a lift. The first floor has five bedrooms that are interconnected with sliding walls, so the five children who live there can spend time together when they want to, yet have privacy when they need it. The master suite is located on the same floor. There’s also a laundry, media room, deck and swimming pool for the kids to splash around in on those long hot summer days.

 
The main living areas are located on the second floor, with an open-plan contemporary kitchen, bar, roomy dining space and cosy lounge area. There’s also a guest bedroom, which will convert to a master bedroom when the children are older.

 
The main living spaces are light filled and inviting. There’s prolific use of warm timber throughout, which bodes well with the home’s natural bushland setting. The slimline kitchen features ample storage and seating positioned to capture the breathtaking views beyond. In fact, the entire front of the living area on this level can be opened up, connecting the home visually to the landscape that sits well beyond its walls. Whether it’s enjoying a cool drink on the outdoor lounge, a family dinner or a quick bite for breakfast in the kitchen, there are delightful views to savour. Another feature of the design is the distinctive timber staircase with blackbutt wall, which can be seen from the see-through lift.

 
With the scope of the project spanning three levels, and given its steep location, structural considerations weighed in heavily in the design process. Large steel members were required, with the major member concealed beneath the curved wall.

 
To Paul, this is a unique project for many reasons, notwithstanding the scope of works completed. “It stands apart from other designs because of the complexity of the site and scale of the building program on a relatively small site envelope.”

 
Embracing the natural curves of the site, this home expertly delivers on both form and function, culminating in a design fit for its inhabitants and the surrounding landscape.

The post Copper Timber House appeared first on Completehome.