The Fish Creek House was born from the land, a direct response to it’s rural coastal environment. The concept was to create a small, eco-friendly, off-grid haven. A refuge, designed to reconnect its clients with nature and to mirror the landscape without being a cliché holiday house. The response was a home that blends together the warmth of the earth & the cool elements of the ocean.
The modest 127m2 house was designed to maximize sustainability & liveability. Spaces within are light filled and naturally ventilated by using passive design principles. Oriented towards the north to capture sunrise and moonlight. This careful positioning takes full advantage of natural cooling, heating, and lighting, reducing the need for artificial sources. The home is split into two zones - entertaining and rest, connected together via a central entryway. This entry acts as an airlock, assisting in the climate & noise control within spaces. The sleeping module was placed on the north-west side to provide privacy, views and protection from cold winter winds.
The living zone takes advantage of cooling summer cross breezes thanks to accurately located windows and glass sliding doors. Raking ceilings were chosen to maximise sunlight inside during winter. A Pergola and window awnings help protect from summer sun, keeping the living area cool. Carbon neutral, formaldehyde and VOC free materials were selected throughout providing health benefits and encouraging emotional well-being for residents. These materials were from renewable and sustainable sources which have minimal impact to the environment. Other Sustainable features integral to the design were; solar panels, wood burner, a rainwater collection operation and septic system.
This home pushest the limits of aesthetics, creating a considered style that is eco- luxe on a budget. It’s chic and environmentally conscious incapsulating the future of living ethically while remaining open-plan and functional. This paired back approach was deliberately unfussy, to champion the environment & wellbeing, enhancing the dialogue between residents and their habitat. Well-chosen finishes and considered design ensured a cohesive outcome. The metallic central chimney with bronzed tiled feature wall is stylish & rustic while acting as the main heating source for the home. The master suites addition of a skylight lets in natural light, while reducing the need for artificial lighting and offers stargazing at night. A secluded decking complete with outdoor bath fed from rainwater, offers another element of simple extravagance.
Colours selected were specific to setting this invigorating mood. Correctly placed windows had privacy in mind while making the most of the beautiful views and ensuring plenty of light filled the spaces. Timbers were incorporated with their health enhancing properties, and a flexible and open plan entertaining area flows through into the outdoors promoting the essential connection to nature.
Integral to the brief was that the home respected its habitat and had minimal impact on wildlife surrounding. Therefore, our construction method of off-site prefabricated modules was the perfect fit. The building was designed and built at our facility ensuring minimal disturbance to the eco-systems and the land that was to encompass the home. Consideration for material sizes and dimensions to maximise product usage was integral to construction, significantly reducing wastage and costs. These controlled building techniques reduced excess trade waste that can sometimes happen with regular on-site builds.
Material Used :
1. Colorbond - Cladding - Corrugated Colorbond in Woodland Grey, Roof - Corrugated Colorbond In Monument, Decking – Silvertop Ash
2. Interia - Kitchen - Stealth Timber Handles
3. Smeg - Commercial Range Appliances – oven, microwave, cooktop, rangehood.
4. Reece - Mizu Drift Bathroom Tapware, Shower & Accessories – Black, Milli Glance – Accessories - Black, Franke Undermount Sink - Black, Blackbutt Timber Hardwood Floors – Interior Floors
5. Dulux Paint - Army Fatigue walls, skirting and architraves, Natural White – Ceiling, Black Ace – Window Frames
6. Laminex - Black, Olive, Fossil, Sublime Teak - Edging
7. Perini - Jaca Bronze – Kitchen Splashback, Solid Tasmanian Oak Feature Grade kitchen bench, Horama Fireplace by Cheminees Phillipe
8. National Tiles - Belgium Stone Floor Tiles
