At home in the forest

Blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors, this home in the forest embraces its surroundings.

 

Constructed using indigenous timber, glass and steel, this house is nestled in a forest and shaded by the surrounding trees. The 27 metre-long home features expansive glass walls along one side that allow uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape, and a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. Designed to accommodate a couple who's children had moved out, this downsize doesn't lack space. The 155 square metre home features living room, kitchen, dining, home office, bedroom and bathroom.

While the exterior walls and gables are stained black to blend the surroundings trees, inside the house is light and bright and largely made of natural materials. The open plan living spaces flow from one area to another, with windows - double glazed - that span from floor to ceiling to allow plenty of natural light into the structure. The homeowners wanted the interior to reflect their personality - Le Corbusier furniture and Danish pieces can be found in many of the rooms.

BELOW: Glass sliding doors allow easy access to the outdoors and the black frames frame the perfect view.

The entire structure sits on a concrete slab, and this forms the flooring for the rooms. Inside, the floors are finished with an epoxy coating for easy maintenance. Rugs and mats in the living spaces offer texture and warmth underfoot.

BELOW: The fireplace in the lounge is mounted in a multi-purpose housing that also serves as a bookcase and closet in the entrance hall,

 

 

ABOVE and BELOW: The kitchen spans a single wall and is open to the dining area. White-oiled ash cabinets continue the white theme of the space and complement the white stained pine ceiling.  

The bedroom and en suite bathroom are situated at the far end of the building on the opposite side of the living room. Skylights flood the room with sunlight. The bathroom is discretely hidden behind a wall divider.

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