The clients approached us to design a practical, efficient home in Cowaramup, together with an ancillary dwelling and shed, for a residential subdivision uniquely surrounded by National Trust bushland. The intent was to create a warm, functional place for daily life, with interiors that reflected their personality and spaces that connected to the surrounding landscape.
Affordability was a key factor from the outset. They wanted a staged approach that would allow them to live on the property while spreading construction costs over time — building the ancillary dwelling first, then the main residence when ready, with the smaller home later accommodating guests or being rented out.
The main house was to be robust, comfortable, and easy to live in, with spaces to cook, gather, and retreat, as well as a strong indoor–outdoor relationship. The design needed to work with the high bushfire risk of the site, while still feeling open to light and views into the trees.
The site presented both opportunities and constraints. Its triangular shape, position within bushland, and adjacency to walking trails meant that access, privacy, sunlight, and bushfire compliance all needed to be balanced from the start.
We worked through the siting of all three elements – main residence, ancillary dwelling, and shed – to ensure they functioned well individually while forming a cohesive whole on the lot. The ancillary dwelling and shed were positioned to the north to give the main house access to light and privacy, and to allow it to open towards the west and north while maintaining a safe setback from the southern boundary and taller forest.
Bushfire compliance was a significant challenge, requiring careful coordination with bushfire consultants to determine building envelope, vegetation management, and detailing. Affordability shaped every stage of the design process, with early engagement from a builder to test buildability, refine methods, and ensure the design ambitions could be met within budget.
The staging approach added complexity – the site plan had to anticipate future construction without rework, and each stage needed to feel resolved in its own right. The shading from surrounding trees also meant achieving good energy ratings required particular attention to glazing, insulation, and sealing details, all while maintaining the desired connection to the outdoors.
From the cul-de-sac entry, the main house sits quietly beyond the ancillary dwelling and shed, its low skillion forms and pale limestone-toned rammed earth walls blending with the trees. Dark recessive cladding and touches of warm timber complete a palette that feels both robust and understated.
The home covers around 215 m², including outdoor living and porch. Inside, a split-level arrangement uses a single step to navigate the gentle fall of the site, creating a subtle separation between the slightly elevated living, dining, and kitchen area and the lower wing of bedrooms, snug, and bathrooms. The plan is efficient and compact, with a central corridor and cavity slider allowing the two zones to operate together or independently.
In the main living space, burnished concrete floors and rammed earth walls provide texture and warmth. The kitchen is designed for everyday cooking and entertaining, with a generous island and a built-in dining bench upholstered in green velvet for efficient, comfortable seating. Large sliding doors connect to a west-facing deck and outdoor cooking area, offering views over native planting and lawn.
A north-facing snug forms an informal second living space, with a piano nook that doubles as a place for music and quiet retreat. Bedrooms are oriented for privacy, with the main suite opening to its own garden corner. Bathrooms use a seamless micro-cement wall finish rather than tiles, complementing the home’s earthy tones and practical detailing.
Every opening is deliberate — framing the forest canopy, capturing light at specific times of day, or allowing cross-ventilation. The surrounding gardens and a pool, added later, integrate with the architecture to create a place that’s both connected to its bushland setting and tailored to the family’s life. The result is a home that balances efficiency, resilience, and character, while the ancillary dwelling now welcomes guests and extends the property’s flexibility over time.