Xavier

A new build, located at the end of a dead-end street, Xavier breaks away from its neighbourhood context by eliminating a front fence – a simple gesture that allows the site to be spatially appropriate well beyond its title boundaries. The house then, in this context, becomes the physical barrier between the public and private realms – a layered, folding screen. White painted brickwork folds in to identify the entrance and upon entering the house, a large, light-filled entry creates a moment for residents and guests to pause, take off their shoes and take in the house and landscape. Natural materials (timber, wool, marble) and soft tones throughout bring calmness as you move through and up into the house; north-facing windows allow natural light to penetrate deep into the living zones. The project has a strong focus on sustainable systems – solar power, heat pump HWS and heat-recovery heating/cooling; as well as employing good passive design principles, low-VOC products and high-performance glazing. Photography: Emily Bartlett