banner

This new home is located in the Upper Orara valley in the sub-tropical hinterland of Coffs Harbour. The house sits high on a ridge with wide, open views of the surrounding landscape in all directions. The house has been designed with two wings with a central entrance, following the natural shape of the ridgeline. Large angophoras book-end the house to the east and west.

Bedrooms and living rooms open onto a long flat lawn with a northern aspect. The solid pre-cast concrete wall protects from cold southern winds and anchors the house to the hillside, the northern facade is glazed with timber-framed sliding glass doors and high-level louvres to facilitate natural ventilation.

Materials were selected to reflect and harmonise with the colours and textures of the natural vegetation. The concrete slab has hydronic heating throughout and is finished with terrazzo tiles. The landscape design completes the house, with the use of dry-stone walls of Valla Granite, to echo the rusty red colour of the timber and reinforce the contours and hillside.

Awards

  • Shortlisted AIA NSW Chapter Sustainable Architecture Award, 2014

Photography: Marian Riabic

Utz Sanby Architects
New South Wales
Get in touch
Visit Website
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara
Ridge House - Upper Orara

Professionals used in
Ridge House - Upper Orara

About the
Professional

Utz Sanby Architects is an award-winning practice focused on delivering high-quality residential projects. Established in 1994 we have a reputation for delivering great design, service and buildings. We are passionate about design that enhances the lives of our clients, resulting in a positive change to how they live.

We provide a full architectural service for the duration of a project, from initial concept to completion, covering the following progressive stages:

  • Initial sketch designs
  • Submitting a Development Application (DA) to the Council
  • Design development
  • Preparing contract documentation
  • Tendering and negotiation
  • Contract administration

Because the design and construction process can be daunting, we endeavour to communicate, educate and assist clients throughout the process, so that the experience of the design and build is both rewarding and satisfying.

Additional services that we provide include:

  • Pre-purchase site visits – for advice regarding the development potential of a site, in order to help make an informed decision prior to purchasing.
  • Feasibility studies – including analysis of brief and budget; assessment of council constraints; preliminary opinion of probable cost, which may include initial conceptual design.
  • Interiors and furniture selection – our full architectural service includes a selection of internal finishes, colours, tiles, lighting, sanitary and tapware and door hardware. We can also advise on the selection of furniture, fabrics, blinds and lighting.
At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.