White St, Kingscote

Project Info

Having spent months deliberating how they could develop this new allotment in Kingscote, the long sweeping form of this modern house was conceived by the owners to take advantage of their new site, with long views down a shallow valley to the sea.

Retired builder Nic and his wife Cath approached Harmonic Design to resolve their sketch plans into a fully fledged series of working plans, elevations and 3D views.

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

There’s two distinct personas on display within the external appearance of the design. One, the public entry and arrival is set to have an overtly private sense of form and materials, with express-jointed cement sheet and repeating slot windows that converge at a central door opening along with the thick, angular parapet walls. These elements combine to present the facade of a modern castle.

Conversely the northern sides of the two pavilions which face the valley and the long distant views, have a warmer, open feeling with lots of glass, two tones of wood cladding (Charred and Natural Weathertex) whilst the skillion roof form overhangs the northern walls, providing shade and shelter as a shield from the elements.

Scope of work:

• Building Design

• Planning Approval

• Building Approval

Construction Cost (estimate)

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

Duration of services:

• 9 months