YOUNG ROAD HOUSE

A SUSTAINABLE HOME EMBEDDED INTO THE NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES BUSHLAND.

This home in Nimbin dissolves the threshold between the house and surrounding bushland, offering a feeling of spaciousness far greater than its footprint.

The first conversation

After sadly losing her home in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, our client was preparing to rebuild in a new location in the Nimbin bushland. She loves plants and using them for fabric dyeing, so having a constant connection to the bushland was her main priority. She wanted the home to open up to her garden and the surrounding landscape while also being warm in winter. Living alone, her preference was for a modest two-bedroom house that she could comfortably maintain and age in, with a separate studio for hosting workshops.

The concept

Much of the strategy for this project was informed by the siting of the home, as the land slopes down towards a creek. The single-level linear home is located along the contours to allow ease of access and minimise the need for stairs.

To connect the home with its location, our focus was embracing the view of the bushland. The best outlook is to the south of the home, as there’s an access road to the north. So we devised a semi-circular courtyard entry that faces north to provide privacy to the road. Directly opposite this entry, oversized sliding doors at the southern end of the dining room capture the south-facing outlook, providing a clear view straight through to the bushland. This view is visible both from within the home and also from the front entry and garden. To ensure northern light is captured, pop-outs in the roof funnel light into key spaces.

The floorplan is linear to allow the home to sit flat on the contour (ensuring our client is grounded on the earth). And within the home, several special moments further connect her to the landscape. The dining area takes on the quality of an outdoor room with its large openings and terracotta floor tile that’s used both inside and outside to blur the boundaries between these spaces. Off the hallway, a pop-out with louvres and the same terracotta flooring provides a place for nurturing and displaying a beloved indoor plant collection.

By focusing on the efficiency of space, we achieved the goal of designing a modestly sized home that is low maintenance and sustainable. Further considerations include water tanks, solar panels, a septic system, lightweight cavity wall construction and locally milled timber. Simple construction methods make this project buildable without disruption to the natural landscape.

The outcome

Good things can come in small packages – and this home is proof that bigger is not best for everyone. Immersed in the surrounding environment, this home provides a sanctuary for its occupier, who truly loves the land she lives on. Despite its modest size, it feels expansive, bright and open, yet can be closed up to provide comfort and cosiness in the cooler months without any loss of the view.

Project summary

Location: Nimbin

Client: Private

Under construction: 2023 - ongoing

Renders: Kin Creative