Green Velvet House

The Green Velvet House is a family home. A cement sheet clad double storey volume with exposed structural timbers divide the façade into bays to create a meditative rhythm. This rests over a Bluestone plinth that conceals the basement and earths the dwelling. An existing depression in the site’s topography has been utilised to position the Garage/Storage and access via the driveway. The natural topography of the site, which varied significantly, has been largely left as it was. The orientation of the upper levels provides for extensive views over the Moonah and coastal Tea Tree canopy of the site and surrounding landscape.

The roof has a subtle twist which both mimics the contour of the site and also allows for passive solar design and weather protection. The generous eaves help to shade the glazing on the North and West elevations, with horizonal screening protecting the East facing windows from late morning sun in Summer. The gentler early morning sun is welcomed year-round, and penetrates deep into the elongated East façade of the home.

In response to the program, we have minimized the building footprint by efficiently consolidating the form, rather than creating a sprawling building that overtakes the site. Landscape fills the outlook from both the internal and external entertaining spaces. The master planning of the site ensures the North and West facing pool is able to be viewed from all living spaces, although is secondary to the green vista.

The Basement of the project includes a Garage, Caravan Store, Pool Plant Room, Cellar and various other zones for the storage of gardening tools, beach related paraphernalia and exercise equipment. The Ground Level comprises the Living, Dining, Kitchen, Walk in Pantry, Powder, Laundry, Study, Guest Bedroom with Ensuite, Pool and sunbathing Terrace. The owners are invited outdoors via the many accessible decks at this level. Level 1 comprises the more private spaces of the dwelling, including a Lounge, 2 children’s Bedrooms, central Bathroom and Master Bedroom suite including a Walk in Robe and Ensuite. Further upper level decking provides ample opportunity to connect with family and guests in the spaces below, and enjoy the connection to the pool and landscape. Internally the plywood lining of the walls and sealed fibre cement ceiling provides a warm palette, with soft light emanating from the dwelling into the surrounding environment.

The building features extensive recycled ‘Grey Ironbark’ Hardwood columns and beams. We site glazed the fixed glazing into the timber columns, with double glazed aluminium sliding doors and double hung sashless windows providing access and ventilation. The Colorbond traydeck roof is fitted with a 10.26 kW Photovoltaic system. 3 water tanks provide 15, 000 litres of water storage for garden use and toilet flushing, located under the North deck. The project also processes its own effluent on site and retains the stormwater via retention pits. Hydronic heating has been provided throughout, with a wood fire boosting the warmth of spaces in Winter. A Sanden heat pump provides hot water, with a 315L tank.