The setting of this house was on a slope overlooking a winery in Dunsborough, Western Australia. The site was exposed, and the proposal sought to provide shelter from prevailing winds. Entry to the house was via a twisting gravel road that lead through an orchard to a simple in-situ concrete wall with a rusty steel entry. Beyond that entry the house opened around a u-shaped courtyard with all major rooms being able to enjoy the view across the winery.

The house used a limited palette of material – black concrete floors, timber shuttered concrete walls and coreten (pre-rusted steel) roofing. The palette was robust and simple to reflect a rural sensibility.

Passive solar strategies were employed – orientation, shading, thermal mass – to ensure that the building would perform well and allow a high level of glazing.

Builder: Cape Constructions