Engaging disposition

Receptive to the play of light of the changing seasons and times of day, this zoned home also has cladding that melds into surrounding trees

On the fringe of southern regional city Ballarat

The house is wrapped in a locally sourced

Locally sourced recycled Australian hardwood floorboards line the

The generous living room is very much in

Clerestory windows contribute to a design that responds

Looking out to the central sheltered courtyard.

Even the kitchen benchtops follow a wood colour

The vanity is created in local hardwood -

Un-apologetically character filled native hardwood joinery celebrates the

The central sheltered courtyard is protected from the

Looking into the living pavilion. - Engaging disposition

Designed by Nathan Porter, Porter Architects

From the architects:

On the fringe of southern regional city Ballarat (Victoria, Australia) on a native treed 2023m² plot looking over the regional city, this house nestles into its environment – engaging with every element of its site.

A seasonal and 24-hour experience, the home engages the winter months with beautiful natural light and views out to changing weather patterns.

In summer, the raised platform and large open areas accommodate natural ventilation while the large interior courtyard is protected from the elements and becomes a second living zone.

At night, the bedrooms look out over the city lights through large glazed areas and in the morning welcomes the melancholy non-direct early light through the eucalyptus trees.

A strict tight building envelope within a native vegetation and koala overlay governs the built footprint.

The house is organised into 4 areas, namely a central transitional entry circulation zone, a public living zone, a private sleeping/ amenity area and a large private courtyard (around which all other zones circulate).

The house is wrapped in a locally sourced vertical native Australian hardwood board and batten cladding.

This emulates its vertically native treed environment while light and shadow change on the three-dimensional cladding as the day progresses.

The two main living/ private pavilions are defined by a dark stained Australian hardwood shiplap vertically clad entry/ circulation area – enlivening the architectural experience from the hideaway laneway view.

The passing pedestrian is welcomed with an unassuming surprise in a neighbourhood of common suburbia.

Internally, a similar theme of textures continues.

Locally sourced recycled Australian hardwood floorboards line the floor and at the same time the unapologetically character-filled native hardwood joinery celebrates the craft of local tradesmen and qualities of local wood.

Travertine stone in the kitchen picks up on the warm tones but shows many layers of geology, adding to the experience of the material.