Force of nature

With two homes destroyed by trees, this owner turned the other cheek creating a cutting edge sustainable (and tree-proof) house like no other

David Jameson built as well as designed, the

Crisp glazed volumes pop from the house’s rough-hewn

In lieu of walkway lights or exterior wall

The double height family room overlooks the pool.

The design blurs boundaries between indoors and outdoors

Geothermally charged radiant tubing both heat and cool

A custom coplanar glazing system designed for the

Sliding doors in the glass facade open the

A pair of pivoting glass panels separates the

The kitchen, which has a 6.7m-high ceiling, features

Designed by David Jameson Architect

From the architect:

Back story:

Seventeen years ago, the owners of this home purchased a Charles Goodman designed Mid-century Modern home after their existing home was damaged beyond repair by a tree fall.

Then, in 2010, a tree destroyed their Goodman home, which had been published in a 1949 issue of Architectural Record.

In rebuilding their home, the homeowners wanted a twofer – a robust structure able to withstand any future tree falls, that could also act as a launching pad for significant energy and suitability innovations that were not possible when the Goodman home was built.

Today:

The new home, by David Jameson Architect, more than responds to these requirements and creates a dramatic, aesthetically arresting home at the same time.

Like a mirage, this home explores the shape of water and its experiential qualities.

Panels of rippled steel provide privacy and reflect the earth and sky, rendering unclear the building’s scale and materiality.

Planar glazing, both kinetic and fixed, blurs the distinction between interior and exterior spaces that ebb and flow around the pool and courtyard.

Energy focus

The project explores sustainability innovation through building tectonics and assembly. The custom stainless-steel façade system utilises a back-ventilated rainscreen over aluminium plate-clad insulated wall panels.

A custom coplanar glazing system designed for the project utilises face glazed ceramic fritted panels supported on FSC certified Sapele wood frames, minimising thermal transfer. The stainless-steel panel and glazing systems act together as a zero-maintenance façade.

Geothermally charged radiant tubing both heats and cools the stone floors using the thermal mass of precast concrete floor systems.

The green roof reduces stormwater runoff, conserves energy, increases the longevity of the roofing membrane, and increases biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife.

Solar shades, LED lighting, and natural daylighting work together to provide the ideal lighting scenarios desired at different times of the day and year.