The warm texture of a rammed earth wall anchors this beautiful, light-filled home. Cocooning the living areas and lining the entry, it provides thermal mass, aesthetics and regulates humidity.

The heavy form of the rammed earth acts as a spine, leading the visitor from the double-height entry through to a living area that is warm and bright. Living areas and kids' bedrooms are warmed by the winter sun, looking north over the rooftops of Waramanga. The owners' love of timber is visible in the finely crafted staircase and joinery.

Recycled timber pergola and portico continue the theme externally. A carefully arranged plan and a high-performance thermal envelope create an energy efficient home with an 8.3 EER. Solar-powered hydronic slab heating and incoming winter sunshine keep the house warm in winter. Thermally massive concrete floors + rammed earth walls maintain their cool temperature in summer, protected by highly-insulated external walls.

The double-height entry acts as a thermal chimney, venting warm air as it rises from the living areas. Triple-glazed composite windows are a masterpiece of industrial design and complete the energy efficient design.

A combination of modern materials + colours with recycled red brick combine contemporary Canberran architecture with iconic Canberran style. The recycled red brick pays homage to the existing suburban fabric while achieving vastly improved environmental performance compared to its mid-century predecessors. A smart, comfortable home for the 21st century.