White St, Kingscote

Project Info

After months of deliberation, the owners conceived the long, sweeping form of this modern house to take advantage of their new allotment in Kingscote, offering long views down a shallow valley to the sea.

Retired builder Nic and his wife Cath approached Harmonic Design to transform their sketch plans into detailed working plans, elevations, and 3D views.

We provided detailed design and documentation services, coordinating various consultant inputs, including achieving the new minimum compliance level of 7 Stars for energy rating. Although the solar passive design principles were complicated by a tricky orientation, with glazing predominantly facing east to take advantage of distant views, we managed to optimize solar access and minimize heat loss wherever possible.

Key Design Elements:

There are two distinct personas on display within the external appearance of the design.

• Public Entry and Arrival: The public entry has an overtly private sense of form and materials, featuring express-jointed cement sheet and repeating slot windows that converge at a central door opening, along with thick, angular parapet walls. These elements combine to present the facade of a modern castle.

• Northern Sides of the Pavilions: The northern sides of the two pavilions, facing the valley and long distant views, have a warm, open feeling with lots of glass and two tones of wood cladding (Charred and Natural Weathertex). The skillion roof form overhangs the northern walls, providing shade and shelter from the elements.

This thoughtful design not only meets the clients' complex needs but also creates a harmonious living environment that maximises the site's natural beauty and functionality.

Scope of work:

• Building Design

• Planning Approval

• Building Approval

Construction Cost (estimate)

• Circa $900k (maybe less as owner-builder)

Duration of services:

• 9 months