The Arnold Street House required a sensitive response to a complex set of restraints; from heritage zoning, considered sustainability, sloping terrain, and an extended family owner-occupier dynamic. The expressive use of timber was seen as the obvious choice, to provide warmth of building fabric, a sense of place, a sustainable material choice, and material of natural integrity.

Working with the scale of the existing dwelling, and natural lay of the land, the linear plan steps down the site allowing for an unfolding of spaces with direct connection to the outdoors. From the front entrance through to the heart of the house, and into the garden, the plan draws you through the various levels, and frames the views and spaces.

An ‘integrated design process’ enabled sustainable features to be engaged, from the use of natural materials, good solar orientation, and high thermal performance, to low energy use appliances and fittings, onsite water management, PV power generation, and sustainably designed landscaping.