Blue Mountains, NSW.
The Straw Bale House
Comfortable, warm, contemporary and stylish, built with natural materials as much as possible, easy to maintain, low-cost to run, welcoming, tactile and with a bit of fun and playfulness….
My Approach.
The use of building materials from the site itself brings a unique story to the house. Timber from trees felled on-site created the frame and distinctive beams and posts in the lounge room. The clay and sandy soil was used in the walls and sandstone rocks used for landscaping and walls. The two year construction has provided a lifetime of memories with teams of friends, family, craftspeople and tradespeople who all contributed to its story.
Challenges.
The Blue Mountains cool temperate climate - snow and frost in winters, hot dry summers. High bushfire risk.
My Home.
A true nest! Warm in winter, cool in summer, energy-neutral over the year, a great house to share with friends, a quiet retreat for my family and a wonderful unique home for us all.
National Design Award for Sustainable Residential Building
— Building Designers Association of Australia 2017