Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Heaven & Earth House
Derek Swalwell

Heaven & Earth House

Heaven & Earth House is a thoughtfully designed residence for a senior couple, integrating Feng Shui principles with a serene natural setting that faces a neighbourhood park. The architecture promotes harmony and balance, with multi-level courtyards at each end of the house that draw greenery upward—symbolizing a connection between earth and sky. These vertical courtyards not only provide visual continuity with nature but also encourage natural light, airflow, and interaction from the surrounding rooms, enriching the spatial experience.

photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell

Privacy is carefully maintained despite the park-facing orientation. A refined interplay of walls, aluminium screens, and pergolas allows the home to feel open yet protected. This spatial strategy fosters a sense of seclusion while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding landscape and neighbourhood context.

photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell

The use of vernacular materials and traditional detailing pays homage to the aesthetic of the Chinese courtyard house. Weathered brick, timber, and stone surfaces create a textured, grounded atmosphere that complements the couple’s extensive collection of cultural and religious antiques, accumulated over five decades. These objects are displayed throughout the home in alcoves and niches that feel both curated and lived-in.

photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell

While deeply rooted in tradition, the home is designed with contemporary functionality in mind—accommodating aging-in-place needs through intuitive circulation, accessible layouts, and integrated outdoor living areas. Each space is designed for ease of use without compromising its architectural integrity or symbolic meaning.

photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell
photo_credit Derek Swalwell
Derek Swalwell

Heaven & Earth House is more than a residence; it is a sanctuary that reflects the lives, beliefs, and memories of its occupants. By balancing traditional values with modern living, the home creates a setting that is not only culturally resonant but also timeless in its expression of harmony between people, place, and the natural world.

photo_credit HYLA Architects
HYLA Architects
photo_credit HYLA Architects
HYLA Architects

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Project data

Project Year
2024
Primary Building Material
Aluminium
Brick
Building Area
716 m2
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