rammed earth house

This house was custom designed for an artist and musician with teenage children and successfully accommodates the diverse interests of all the family members.

The house is located on a 20 acre property orientated east overlooking the Meryla State Forest. The plan is fan shaped with north and south ‘wings’ providing 180 degree views which effectively immerse the occupants within the landscape and provides a zone for the teenage children at one end and a quiet parents retreat to the other.

The siting and orientation was critical to the success of the thermal performance with the house incorporating solar panels, a worm waste system, rain water tanks and double glazing and can operate independently of authority supplied utilities. Materials utilized for construction are ‘Timbercrete’ blocks (blocks made of waste woodchip and concrete with a high insulation value), cedar weatherboards, rammed earth walls, a zincalume roof and is lined with high R value insulation.

The rammed earth wall accommodates the fire place and is centrally located in the living area. The fire’s heat is absorbed into the rammed earth wall which serves as a ‘heat sink’. This stored heat is later radiated back into the house reducing the need for additional heating.

The house is located 450 metres back from the road and is well obscured from neighbours and passing traffic to ensure maximum privacy and exposure to the expansive views over the forest.