At home in the woods

Designed by Craig South, South Architects

From the architects:

Project description

Nestled amongst other homes in the small alpine community of Castle Hill, this holiday home was designed to meld into its environment.

Designed as a getaway for a young family, the home is small enough to feel snug and warm on the coldest days, while it can also cater for large groups of friends and family.

The engineered timber structure is the backbone of the simple form and provides a rhythm through the home, enabling volume to be added through the living spaces. 

This volume creates extended vistas out towards the mountain backdrop.

Sleeping spaces for a mixture of occupants include a custom bunk room which allows plenty of room for extra visitors. 

A casual living space and office enables occupants to work from ‘home’.

A mixture of timber claddings provides a robust layer of protection from the elements – cedar board & batten to much of the home with cedar shingles providing some textural relief to the north and south facades. 

Large overhangs help to repel the weather.

Boasting a simple roof form, with a combination of timber weatherboard and shingles, this home, with a mountain backdrop, has a true alpine aesthetic.

Design features and creative solutions

The home's simple bach layout allows occupants to access the interior via the carport with space provided for wet boots and outdoor equipment. 

Visitors are encouraged to approach the home from the east or west courtyards which soak up of sun at either end of the day.

The post and beam structure provides the rhythm through the home, with large timber members exposed through both levels. 

Timber is carried through the home to enhance the alpine holiday home aesthetic.

The first floor has been tucked nicely within the main roof form.

A lineal program is only broken when the form is angled away at each end – this increases the vista from the living spaces by opening out towards the mountainous views.

The simple roof form encapsulates the whole home. The underside has been lined with timber ply to tie the inside to the outside. 

The flat ceiling in the kitchen and living spaces was crafted with timber milled by the family, allowing connection with the past.

Skylights are used for multiple reasons, firstly to bring northern light into the interior spaces. 

The first floor living and bathroom skylights are used to subtly increase the ceiling heights. 

Their strategic placement also allows a panoramic view of the mountains in the background, while maintaining privacy for the occupants.

Designed by: South Architects

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Anthony Turnham