Manchee

The house is working really well - we love using all the different places, especially the screened verandahs.

The laundry sink makes for the best baby bath, especially with the bench along side where the parents can dry the babies after!

To replace a much loved family home on a farming property, with a new home that would address the clients changed circumstances (empty nesters with children and grand children coming to stay), make the most of the beautiful garden setting and positively address the climate and soil challenges.

With plenty of space for the home, we were able to easily orientate all the living and bedrooms to the north, with the service zones of laundry and bathrooms to the south. A large open plan kitchen, dining and living room is located at the centre of the home, with screened verandahs accessed directly off this room.

The main bedroom is located in the eastern wing, allowing the clients to be woken by the morning light. The study/library is located next to the main bedroom, providing an more intimate room for evening enjoyment and working as required.

Two guest bedrooms and bathroom are located to the west, providing private and easily accessible accommodation for visiting family members.

A large non-specific room between the kitchen and laundry rooms was an important part of the brief. This room is for all sorts of activities that arise from the extended family and their activities. To date, this has included ping pong competitions, extra sleeping space and children's play to name a few.

After seriously exploring straw bale construction on a concrete slab, the clients decided the risk of movement from the highly reactive soils was too great for them to be comfortable with this approach. A highly insulated timber framed structure on an adjustable timber framed floor was opted for - with the need for adjustment being utilised several times since the house was finished.

Crimsafe screening for the screened verandahs was selected for its strength and ability to deal with the challenges of country life - such as dogs, birds and children. Again, the client's well honed understanding of how a house needs to work was integral in delivering one that does!

Simple and intuitive methods for operating the house
Collaborative team approach
Provision of home office facilities
Food composting facilities
Convenient location of storage space for recycling

Good thermal performance of house
Good natural light and ventilation
Good views to the outside
Natural oil finish for timber floors throughout house
Attention paid to planning and detailing to manage acoustics

High performance water saving fixtures and appliances
House totally self sufficient on own water collection
100% of sewerage treated and connected to garden

Materials selected with thought given to reducing their impacts over their life
House designed to easily adapt to changing family lifestyles
Timber from sustainably managed forests for new floor boards and decking

Size of project purposefully kept to the smallest possible
Garden design to enhance local ecosystems and encourage local flora and fauna
Garden design inherent to house design
Inclusion of food plants to help provide for family
Connection of living areas to garden to assist in better care