Upside Down Akubra House
By Alexander Symes Architect
The Upside Down Akubra House is a self-sufficient, off-grid home located in Country NSW. When viewed from afar, the house is defined by its large skillion roof that is inspired by the broad brim of an Akubra hat. The house is sustained by the sun and the rain that falls on the roof, it provides shelter and comfort from temperature extremes and it celebrates the unique landscape and vistas. In this way, the Upside Down Akubra House is as much ‘of’ the landscape as it is ‘in’ the landscape.
Internally, the house responds to the dynamic panorama of the site. With a compact service core at its centre, the living spaces are arranged around the perimeter. The kitchen and living spaces open generously towards Hanging Rock at the North East, culminating in a generous outdoor room. The bedrooms provide privacy and a space of refuge with carefully composed views over the surrounding paddocks.
Awards
2020 – Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Residential Architecture – Houses New | Commendation
2020 – Institute of Architects NSW Awards | COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture | Commendation
2020 – Habitus House of the Year | House of the Year 2020
2020 – Sustainability Awards | Single Dwelling (New) | Winner
2020 – INDE Awards | The Living Space | Honourable Mention
2020 – Housing Industry Association NSW | GreenSmart Sustainable Home | Winner
2020 – Housing Industry Association Australian | GreenSmart Custom Built | Winner
2020 – Housing Industry Association Northern NSW Region | GreenSmart Sustainable home | Winner
2020 – Master Builders Association NSW | Energy Efficiency – Housing ($800k-$2m) | Winner
Project Team
Alex Symes
Builder
Blue Eco Homes
Consultants
Ascent Consulting Engineers – Structural Engineer
Energy Wise Living – Photo Voltaic Contractor
Maggs Engineering – Steel Fabrication
Southern Cabinetry – Joinery
Photography
Barton Taylor
Council
Tamworth Regional Council
Products used in
Upside Down Akubra House
Professionals used in
Upside Down Akubra House
More projects from
Alexander Symes Architect
About the
Professional
Alexander Symes Architect was founded in 2014 with a mission to advance sustainable architecture. The world’s climate is changing and we believe that architecture must lead the way in changing how we utilise resources to contribute to a sustainable future.
This vision for sustainable architecture is layered through all aspects of our practice and through all the stages of a project. This starts with the examination of a project brief to ensure the grounding principles of a project support a sustainable way of life. As the project takes shape, Alex deploys his depth of technical expertise to realise the project to its full potential.
Alex’s technical expertise in building physics and facade system design is built on the experience he gained working in Arup’s Building Physics and Facade Engineer teams from 2010-2014. He has hands-on experience with construction and design for manufacturing assembly (DFMA) and a passion for how buildings are put together.
Alex has specialist training in the design and delivery of passive houses which we believe offer a pathway towards exceptionally comfortable and healthy homes. Alex loves collaborating with like-minded individuals and testing the boundaries of how we can challenge the status quo to advance sustainable architecture.
- Year founded2014
- ArchiPro Member since2023
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