House Kimberley, Southern Highlands
Project Team
Architecture: Tony O’Meara + Kalpana Sagar
Planning: AO Design Studio
Photography: Luc Remond
Builder: Rofe Build
Landscape Design: Michael Bligh & Associates
Landscaper: Leading Edge Landscapes
Basix Certificate: Application Solutions
Bushfire: Harris Environmental Consulting
Biodiversity: Lodge Environmental
Wastewater: Harris Environmental Consulting
Geotechnical Engineer: Southern Geotechnics NSW
Structural Engineer: Northrop
Sustainability and Passive Design
A fundamental aspect of the project was a commitment to sustainability, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impact through intelligent design and material choices. Rather than introducing unnecessary new structures, an existing shed on-site was repurposed as a garage, significantly reducing waste and the carbon footprint associated with new construction. This decision also preserves the site’s original character, ensuring that the home feels anchored within its context rather than imposed upon it.
Sustainability is further reinforced through passive design strategies, which play a crucial role in the home’s year-round comfort and energy efficiency. The building’s orientation maximises northern light exposure, ensuring that natural warmth is captured during winter while deep eaves and overhangs provide shade in the hotter months, reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
A narrow floor plan enhances cross-flow ventilation, encouraging cool breezes to move through the home and minimising the need for mechanical air conditioning. Large, operable windows and doors allow for natural airflow, helping regulate indoor temperatures while fostering a direct connection to the outdoors. High-performance glazing and insulation contribute to the home’s thermal efficiency, creating a stable internal environment that remains comfortable throughout the seasons.
Architectural Approach and Materiality
The architectural response prioritises a subtle and respectful presence within the landscape. The approach to the home follows an existing access track, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surrounding vegetation. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed by a hardstand parking area near the entry, carefully positioned to maintain an understated and unimposing presence. From this point, the house reveals itself gradually, its form modest yet purposeful, appearing to settle naturally into the terrain.
The material palette was chosen to reinforce this sense of belonging within the landscape, with an emphasis on raw, honest materials that will age gracefully over time. Dark metal cladding, recycled brick, and timber elements work together to create a restrained yet tactile expression that complements the surrounding bushland. These materials not only provide durability and low maintenance but also allow the home to recede into its environment rather than dominate it.
The design celebrates simplicity, with clean lines and carefully proportioned volumes that create a harmonious balance between built and natural elements. Open-plan living spaces are designed to enhance the feeling of lightness and connection to the outdoors, with large glazed elements framing views of the landscape. The transition between indoor and outdoor spaces is fluid, with sheltered courtyards and verandahs extending the living areas beyond the walls of the home, blurring the boundaries between inside and out.
Site Response and Landscape Integration
The site presented several challenges that required a thoughtful and responsive approach. One of the primary considerations was the preservation of the rich biodiversity present on-site. Rather than clearing large areas or reshaping the land to fit the building, the design was developed in consultation with environmental specialists to ensure that the house would sit lightly within its setting. The stepping of the home follows the natural fall of the land, creating pockets of preserved vegetation that not only enhance biodiversity but also provide moments of serenity and natural beauty throughout the property.
In addition to ecological considerations, bushfire risk played a significant role in shaping the design. As with many rural properties in Australia, compliance with bushfire protection measures was essential. Non-combustible materials, including metal cladding, brick, and concrete elements, were chosen to enhance fire resistance while maintaining a refined aesthetic. Strategic landscaping decisions, such as the use of low-flammability plant species and defensible space planning, further contribute to the home’s resilience in the event of a bushfire.
Geotechnical conditions also informed the architectural response. The soil composition required a foundation system that could accommodate the natural conditions without excessive excavation or disruption. A stepped foundation approach was adopted, allowing the house to follow the contours of the site while ensuring structural stability. This strategy not only reduces construction impact but also enhances the relationship between the home and the land, reinforcing the sense that the building is an extension of its surroundings.
The Experience of Living in House Kimberley
Living in House Kimberley is an experience shaped by the rhythms of nature. Throughout the day, the play of light and shadow changes the character of the interiors, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving atmosphere. In the morning, eastern light filters through the trees, casting a soft glow across the interiors, while in the afternoon, the deep overhangs provide shade, ensuring that spaces remain cool and comfortable even in the height of summer.
The arrangement of spaces encourages an intuitive flow between different zones of the home, with each wing offering a distinct yet connected experience. The communal living area serves as the heart of the home, where the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces converge in an open and inviting setting. The master suite provides a secluded retreat, with its own private outlook and a direct connection to the landscape. The guest wing, positioned separately, ensures that visitors can enjoy privacy while still feeling part of the overall experience of the home.
Outdoor spaces play an equally important role in the design, with sheltered courtyards and verandahs providing places for relaxation and connection with nature. These spaces offer a variety of experiences, from sun-drenched terraces that capture warmth in winter to shaded alcoves that provide respite from the summer heat. The carefully curated landscape enhances the sense of immersion in the natural environment, with native plantings that attract birdlife and contribute to the overall ecological health of the site.
Architect’s Summary
House Kimberley is a testament to the power of architecture that responds thoughtfully to its context. By integrating sustainable principles at every level, from passive design strategies to the adaptive reuse of existing structures, the project minimises its environmental impact while maximising comfort and functionality. The house is designed to feel grounded and connected to its surroundings, with materials and colours chosen to complement the landscape rather than compete with it.
The stepped design respects the natural topography, allowing the home to sit gently within the land rather than imposing upon it. Through careful consideration of orientation, shading, ventilation, and insulation, the house achieves a high level of energy efficiency without relying on complex mechanical systems.
Ultimately, House Kimberley is a home that celebrates its setting, offering a refined yet relaxed living experience that is deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. Whether enjoyed as a quiet retreat or a gathering place for family and friends, the home embodies a sense of place and belonging, ensuring that its occupants can experience the beauty and tranquillity of the landscape in an effortless and meaningful way.
