Many dream of living in harmony with nature while creating a space that nurtures relationships with family and friends. The design of a home plays a crucial role in achieving this balance. This is where Australis, a modern family home in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, stands out. Seamlessly blending contemporary living with the beauty of rural landscapes, Australis by Sealand Architects offers a unique and intimate connection to nature.
The vision for Australis was to create a home that not only caters to the needs of a young family but also adapts to the changing requirements as the children grow older. Sealand’s design is based on flexibility, a house that evolves alongside its inhabitants. The result is a harmonious blend of open central areas where the family can come together and smaller, intimate bedroom spaces at either end of the house for personal and quiet time.
One of Australis’s defining features is its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. Large sliding glass doors and windows open onto the gardens and landscape, inviting the outdoors in. Natural light floods the rooms, creating a serene ambience that reflects the changing seasons. Sealand consciously utilised natural ventilation in the home’s design to ensure a constant connection with the natural environment, allowing the inhabitants to feel the day and the flow of air.
Australis pays homage to Queensland’s rich architectural heritage. Inspired by the elegant roof forms and timber construction of early Noosa buildings and the farmhouse typology traditionally found in the Noosa hinterland, Sealand sought to capture the essence of traditional Queensland architecture.
Externally, materials such as local hardwood, stone, and metal roof sheeting were used to create a beautiful, low-maintenance, and bushfire-resistant character. Internally, the house features a combination of local hardwood, stone, concrete, and plaster, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.
By breaking up the house into a series of smaller pavilions, Australis seamlessly follows the site’s natural topography, harmoniously connecting to the landscape. This design approach not only adds visual interest but also creates a sense of intimacy and privacy within the home.
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Living in a rural setting comes with its own set of challenges, and one of them is the risk of bushfires. Being surrounded by Australian native forests, the architects had to address this concern. To minimise the risk, they removed flammable eucalyptus trees from around the house and replaced them with native rainforest plants. These plants not only have a higher water content but also create a natural bushfire buffer around the house, ensuring the inhabitants’ safety and peace of mind.
Australis is not just a beautiful and functional home but also designed with sustainability in mind. Sealand has incorporated passive design principles to maximise energy efficiency and reduce the house’s environmental footprint. Using natural light and ventilation minimises the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning, resulting in lower energy consumption. Furthermore, the choice of materials, such as local hardwood and stone, ensures durability and reduces the need for frequent maintenance.
Australis is more than just a house; it is an experience. Sealand has meticulously crafted a space that embraces the beauty of rural living while offering the comfort and style desired by modern families. Every detail, from the choice of materials to the layout of the rooms, has been thoughtfully considered to create a home that exudes style, quality, and refinement.
Photography: David Chatfield & Emma Bourne
