Houzz Tour: A House That Catches the Sun
This home on the coast of Australia captures magnificent views and light
Former Sydney residents Glenn and Debbie Christopherson bought a half-acre-plus plot of land overlooking Australia’s Byron Bay Hinterland to build their dream home for retirement. The Christophersons engaged Davis Architects to design the house for an exposed and steep south-facing lot. Directly responding to the aspect and orientation of the property ensured that the house would be comfortable and energy-efficient year-round. “Winter sun, cross-breezes and the overall local climatic conditions were our main concern,” says Ed Davis of Davis Architects. “The solution was to create a house that looked north and south and caught the sun in winter.”
The use of concrete and steel met the clients’ request for durability and clean lines. “Both these materials are extremely durable, and the steel skeleton gives the building lightness and transparency,” Davis says. The pitched roof is inspired by an aircraft wing. Setting the supports back from the edge gives the roof a lighter appearance, as if it’s floating above the house.
The roof shields the outdoor area that extends around all sides of the upper level of the house. A lap pool sits along the north side where it’s warmed by the sun; the outdoor dining area faces east.
The roof shields the outdoor area that extends around all sides of the upper level of the house. A lap pool sits along the north side where it’s warmed by the sun; the outdoor dining area faces east.
An indoor-outdoor entertaining area was a top priority for the couple. Davis designed it as an extension of the kitchen, while the kitchen has been designed to serve both the interior and exterior dining spaces.
A screen up the sides and above the outdoor kitchen countertop helps define the external dining area. It also contains recessed lighting.
A screen up the sides and above the outdoor kitchen countertop helps define the external dining area. It also contains recessed lighting.
Inside, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is a cruciform, with the elongated space extending east-west along the ridge and the living room opening up to the north and south with expansive sliding glass doors. Large-format tiles have been used both inside and out to enhance the seamless feel.
Interior and exterior flooring: Cliffstone taupe large-format tiles (about 2 by 4 feet), Byron Bay Tile Merchants; find contemporary furniture
Interior and exterior flooring: Cliffstone taupe large-format tiles (about 2 by 4 feet), Byron Bay Tile Merchants; find contemporary furniture
The kitchen is at the far end of the open-plan area and has been designed not to dominate the overall simplicity and clean lines of the interior. Gray ironbark paneling on the front of the island introduces warmth and detail.
The dining area is centrally located between the kitchen and living area and unifies the surrounding spaces. “A large section of solid wall to the south anchors the space and provides space for art,” Davis says. The solid wall also means that when the couple are entertaining, the attention is focused on the food and company rather than the view. Northern light streams in from the clerestory windows, and the pendant light creates intriguing effects courtesy of its laser-cut shade.
A study-library is along the northern side, where it receives plenty of natural light. “It also adds visual interest and stillness in the central part of the plan,” Davis says.
Canyon dining chair and Canyon dining table: King Living; Kelly Dome pendant light: Studio Italia Design; browse contemporary pendant lights
A study-library is along the northern side, where it receives plenty of natural light. “It also adds visual interest and stillness in the central part of the plan,” Davis says.
Canyon dining chair and Canyon dining table: King Living; Kelly Dome pendant light: Studio Italia Design; browse contemporary pendant lights
In contrast to the dining area, the living area opens to the north and south to capture the views, light and sun. “The space has been designed to look two ways: south to the view of the distant hills and north to the sun,” Davis says.
Neo sofa: King Living; Domo coffee table: Camerich
Neo sofa: King Living; Domo coffee table: Camerich
Emphasizing the north-south direction anchors the building into the hill, as well as forming a sun trap on the north side adjacent to the pool.
“This outdoor area is a space for Glenn and Debbie to retreat to,” Davis says. “It catches the sun, is sheltered from unfavorable southerly winds and still takes in the views through the transparent living space.”
The living space takes advantage of the low-angled winter sun, and the clerestory windows provide cross-ventilation in summer. The concrete slab floor construction provides thermal mass for passive heating in winter and stabilized temperatures in summer, and the light exterior colors reflect heat in summer.
The living space takes advantage of the low-angled winter sun, and the clerestory windows provide cross-ventilation in summer. The concrete slab floor construction provides thermal mass for passive heating in winter and stabilized temperatures in summer, and the light exterior colors reflect heat in summer.
A built-in bench provides a focal point at the end of the lap pool.
The master bedroom is located past the living area and is similarly oriented for views, winter sun and cross-ventilation. “The bedrooms are designed to be simple, private and meditative spaces that direct focus toward the south views,” Davis says.
The master bathroom is also simple and modern in design. The same tiles used in the living area and balcony are on the floor here. A built-in shelf made with natural hardwood adds a touch of warmth.
Stairs to the lower level are located between the living area and master bathroom. “This space acts like the ‘lungs’ of the house, maximizing light and ventilation while creating an uplifting transitional space,” Davis says. “It connects the upper and lower levels of the house in a simple way and provides a ‘glass link’ between the sleeping and living zones of the house on the upper level.”
Floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass louvers at both ends of the stairs allow natural light and air to flow. The stairs and custom screen, which also forms the handrail, are made of gray ironbark wood.
The two bedrooms on the lower level, as in the master bedroom upstairs, have custom built-in furniture, as well as air conditioning.
Inside and out, upstairs and down, the color palette is consistent throughout. This bedroom shows that continuation with rich turquoise blue set against a neutral and crisp white background.
A photovoltaic system and solar hot water unit were installed on the roof, adding to the energy efficiency of the house. Rainwater tanks sit in the lower-level storage area.
The home is designed to be sympathetic to both the area’s existing architecture and the landscape. The exterior of the upper level is covered in James Hardie Linea clapboard, which is highly durable and has deep shadow lines. “This gives the building a reference to the [clapboard] vernacular of the north coast of New South Wales,” Davis says. The ground level’s masonry recedes into the hill and provides thermal mass.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Retirees Glenn and Debbie Christopherson
Location: Bangalow, New South Wales, Australia
Size: 4,068 square feet (377.9 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect: Davis Architects
The couple wanted a three-bedroom house with a pool, garage and plenty of storage. They also wanted clean, modern lines and plenty of natural light. However, the orientation and the views being to the south created an immediate design challenge for architect Davis, as houses more often tend toward the north in Australia to maximize solar-passive design for natural light and heat.
“Bangalow can be surprisingly cold in winter, so we needed to maximize the solar access from the south and retain and capture the stunning views,” he says.