By Biotope Architecture and Interiors
Backed by eucalypts and reflected in an undisturbed lake, The Lake House is right at home in the wilds of Tasmania’s bush. Its truly bespoke and holistic design is inspired by the client’s passion for sustainability, evidenced in its materials, energy-efficient technologies and integration into its locale.
Tapping into resources from its surroundings, the warmth of stones from a nearby quarry compliments natural and recycled timber to create a single-story house that’s in harmony with the land it sits upon.
In collaboration with the traditional farmhouse architecture is a network of heat and energy systems. A geothermal heat pump with ground loop pipes in the lake supplies energy for the home’s hydronic heating system and 72 photovoltaic panels provide enough energy to release excess back into the grid.
The Lake House acts as the meeting point for sustainable practice and natural beauty, reminding us what’s possible when we work with, not against, the Earth.
Fieldnotes:
- The views of Mt Wellington played an important role when deciding the position of the house upon the site.
- During the design stage the footprint of the house was marked out to ensure that the views of Mt Wellington were captured appropriately within the internal spaces. It was also important to determine the siting of the house within the cleared area.
- The timber trusses were inspired by reclaimed timber which was sourced from a Launceston warehouse in Tasmania.
- A full-scale truss was constructed on-site and used as a template for the prefabricated timber trusses.
- The native eucalyptus trees on the site inspired the colour palette, featuring a combination of green and grey tones.
Photography by Peter Mathew.
We adopt a holistic approach to designing buildings. From homes with minimal impact on the ecology of a site and discreet additions that complement existing structures to bespoke interiors crafted through collaborations with local makers. Our designs focus on context and seek to enhance the connection to the site through carefully considered spatial composition.
We look to both the immediate and broader landscapes for cues on how to preserve, regenerate and create a natural environment setting for each of our projects. It’s why we often introduce building elements, like courtyards and skylights, for example, to connect to the external environment and surrounding skyscapes. We also use passive solar design principles to reduce costs and be kinder to the Earth.
When life changes we often need to alter or expand the spaces we occupy. Whether that’s an extension to the family home for entertaining or an environmentally conscious workspace in a heritage-listed property. We design to retain and work with as much of the original heritage fabric as possible while transforming the building into a space that fits your current and future needs.
We take the location of a building and its distinctive setting seriously. These design principles grew out of the need to create an architectural language and expression that keeps with current thinking and the need for sustainable, environmentally sensitive buildings. Flora, fauna, the weather, the urban context and site history all play a significant part in informing design practice so that structures are unobtrusive elements on the landscape. Local materials and craftsmen are resourced and their bespoke elements reference the site and the environment in which a building will stand.
As the anchor for our clients, consultancy team, builders and makers, collaboration is key to the realisation of every project. Get in touch with us to start a conversation about your next project.