McClintock Residence

The owner builder was supported by Battistin Builders who completed a large part of the construction work.

The site consists of scrubby eucalypt forest with minimal clearing. The available site area for building had a substantial slope, which was used to good advantage by the lightweight construction. Minimal benching was required to place the water tanks beneath the dwelling, and access is at ground level on the north side.  The site slopes down to the south toward the river, affording high level views from the south (summer) deck down to the water below. This deck looks into the lower canopy of the surrounding eucalypts.

The design is characterised by simplicity and efficiency. No elaborate or wasteful devices have been used, just careful consideration of the spatial requirements and composition to maximise the ambient benefits.

The design is split into 2 forms – North and South, with the main circulation access crossing these resulting in 4 resting places – bathroom and robe to the north, and bedroom and kitchen in the south. The circulation spaces are formed through the winter patio, lounge, dining space and summer deck.

The robe and bathroom are located in the north form as this has the lower roof and more enclosed feel, whilst the kitchen and bedroom benefit from the cooling high ceiling and clerestory glazing from the high roof. The main roof falls down to the southern edge of the summer deck to maximise the shading from the summer sun, and to direct views down to the river.

Material selections were kept lightweight for ease of construction on the site. Steel and fibre-cement  claddings were selected for termite resistance and lower fire risk. Heavy materials were used for the winter patio to the north side of the house to maximise thermal mass for the cooler winter months when the house is heated by a wood fired combustion heater – providing a warm retreat in the winter.

The property has no mains power, so all energy is generated on site by the photo voltaic solar system. Hot water is also solar. Backup power is provided with a small petrol generator.

Power requirements are minimised through excellent passive ventilation, carefully designed shading to all glazed areas (supplemented by shade from the forest), and abundant natural light provided by the windows and amplified by the deliberately small footprint.

All the rainwater from the roof is collected on site in 2x 22,000 litre tanks located under the house in the undercroft space.