Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A House That Catches as Much Sun as the Day is Long
Overlooking the Byron Bay Hinterland, this Bangalow house captures magnificent views and sun all around
Suncatcher Residence is the aptly named home of Glenn and Debbie Christopherson. The former Sydneysiders bought a 2360-square-metre block of land overlooking the Byron Bay Hinterland to build their dream home for retirement.
Glenn and Debbie engaged Byron Bay- and Sydney-based studio Davis Architects to design the house for an exposed and steep south-facing block. Directly responding to the aspect and orientation of the block ensures the house is comfortable and energy efficient year round. “Winter sun, cross breezes and the overall local climatic conditions were our main concern,” says Ed Davis of Davis Architects. “The solution was to create a house that looked north and south and caught the sun in winter.”
Glenn and Debbie engaged Byron Bay- and Sydney-based studio Davis Architects to design the house for an exposed and steep south-facing block. Directly responding to the aspect and orientation of the block ensures the house is comfortable and energy efficient year round. “Winter sun, cross breezes and the overall local climatic conditions were our main concern,” says Ed Davis of Davis Architects. “The solution was to create a house that looked north and south and caught the sun in winter.”
The use of concrete and steel met the clients’ request for durability and clean lines. “Both these materials are extremely durable and the steel skeleton gives the building lightness and transparency,” Davis says. The pitched roof is inspired by an aircraft wing. Setting the supports back from the edge gives the roof a lighter appearance, as if floating above the house.
The roof shields the outdoor area that extends around all sides of the upper level of the house. A lap pool sits along the north side where it is warmed by the sun; the outdoor dining area faces east.
The roof shields the outdoor area that extends around all sides of the upper level of the house. A lap pool sits along the north side where it is warmed by the sun; the outdoor dining area faces east.
An indoor-outdoor entertaining area was a top priority for Glenn and Debbie. Davis designed it as an extension of the kitchen, while the kitchen has been designed to serve both internal and external dining areas, even at the same time.
A screen up the sides and above the outdoor kitchen benchtop helps define the external dining space. It also contains recessed lighting.
A screen up the sides and above the outdoor kitchen benchtop helps define the external dining space. It also contains recessed lighting.
Inside, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is like a cruciform with the elongated space extending east-west along the ridge, and the living room opening up to the north and south with expansive sliding glass doors. Large-format tiles have been used both inside and out to enhance this visual seamlessness.
1200 x 600 millimetre Cliffstone Taupe tile for interior and exterior flooring: Byron Bay Tile Merchants
1200 x 600 millimetre Cliffstone Taupe tile for interior and exterior flooring: Byron Bay Tile Merchants
The kitchen is at the far end of the open-plan area and has been designed so as not to dominate the overall simplicity and clean lines of the interior. Grey ironbark cladding on the front of the kitchen island introduces warmth and detail.
The dining area is centrally located between the kitchen and living area and unifies the surrounding spaces. “A large section of solid wall to the south anchors the space and provides space for art,” Davis says. The solid wall also means that when entertaining guests, the attention is focused on the food and company, rather than the view. Northern light streams in from the clerestory windows above, and the pendant light creates intriguing effects courtesy of its laser-cut shade.
A study/library is along the northern side where it receives plenty of natural light. “It also adds visual interest and stillness in the central part of the plan,” Davis says.
Canyon Dining Chair and Canyon Rectangle Dining Table: King Living; Kelly Dome pendant light: Studio Italia Design
A study/library is along the northern side where it receives plenty of natural light. “It also adds visual interest and stillness in the central part of the plan,” Davis says.
Canyon Dining Chair and Canyon Rectangle Dining Table: King Living; Kelly Dome pendant light: Studio Italia Design
In contrast to the dining area, the living area opens to the north and south to capture views, light and sun. “The space has been designed to look two ways: south to the view of the distant hills and north to the sun,” Davis says.
Neo Sofa: King Living; Domo Coffee Table: Camerich
Neo Sofa: King Living; Domo Coffee Table: Camerich
Emphasising the north-south direction anchors the building into the hill, as well as forming a sun trap on the north side adjacent to the pool.
“This outdoor area is a space for Glenn and Debbie to retreat to. It catches the sun, is sheltered from unfavourable southerly winds and still takes in the views through the transparent living space,” Davis says.
The living space takes advantage of the low-angled winter sun, and the clerestory windows provide cross ventilation in summer. The concrete slab floor construction provides thermal mass for passive heating in winter and stabilised temperatures in summer, and the light external colours reflect heat in summer.
The living space takes advantage of the low-angled winter sun, and the clerestory windows provide cross ventilation in summer. The concrete slab floor construction provides thermal mass for passive heating in winter and stabilised temperatures in summer, and the light external colours reflect heat in summer.
A built-in bench seat provides a focal point at the end of the lap pool and sets the tone for the space as being for casual and relaxing dining and lounging.
The master bedroom is located past the living area, and is similarly oriented for views, winter sun and cross ventilation. “The bedrooms are designed to be simple, private and meditative spaces that direct focus towards the south views,” Davis says.
An ensuite bathroom is also simple and modern in design with a view focused on the southerly outlook. The same tiles used in the living area and balcony are on the floor of the bathroom. A built-in shelf made with natural hardwood timber brings a touch of warmth.
Stairs to the lower level are located between the living area and master bathroom. “This space acts like the ‘lungs’ of the house, maximising light and ventilation while creating an uplifting transitional space,” Davis says. “It connects the upper and lower levels of the house in a simple way and provides a ‘glass link’ between the sleeping and living zones of the house on the upper level.”
Floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass louvres at both ends of stairs allow natural light and air to flow inside. The stairs and custom-designed screen, which also forms the handrail, is made with grey ironbark timber.
The two bedrooms on the lower level, as in the master bedroom upstairs, contain custom built-in robes, desks and air-conditioning.
Inside and out, upstairs and down, the colour palette is consistent throughout the home. This bedroom shows that continuation with rich turquoise blue set against a neutral and crisp white background.
Boosting the efficiency of the house, a photovoltaic system and solar hot water unit are located on the roof, and rainwater tanks sit in the lower-level storage area.
Suncatcher Residence has been designed to be sympathetic to both the existing architecture and the landscape of the region. The exterior of the upper level is clad in James Hardie Linea weatherboard, which is highly durable and has deep shadow lines. “This gives the building a reference to the weatherboard vernacular of the north coast of NSW,” Davis explains. The ground level’s brick and block work recedes into the hill and provides thermal mass.
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Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Retired couple Glenn and Debbie Christopherson
Location: Bangalow, NSW
Size: 378 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect: Davis Architects
Glenn and Debbie’s brief called for a three-bedroom house with a pool, garage and plenty of storage. They also wanted clean, modern lines and plenty of natural light. However, the orientation and views to the south created an immediate design challenge for Davis, as houses more often tend towards the north to maximise solar-passive design both for natural light and heat. “Bangalow can be surprisingly cold in winter, so we needed to maximise the solar access from the south and retain and capture the stunning views,” he says.