kebbell daish: harte house

‘harte house’ by kebbell daish, great barrier reef, austalia images courtesy of kebbell daish

new zealand based firm, kebbell daish has completed ‘harte house’, a private residence located on the great barrier reef in austalia. situated on 32 hectares of regenerating bush, the design is developed around an architectural language that embraces the rough topography and articulates a new and positive relationship with the natural landscape.

the structure – which sustains itself through solar power and hot water – looks to not only minimize destruction of the site but also play a positive role in its re-growth.

(left) uncovered deck (right) pathways circulate the residence

the main body of the house is cut into a slope and bends slightly to follow the contours of the land, previously damaged to the point of no return. a remedial surface locates the existing ground plane as it rises up toward the house and over the roof of its eastern end forming the outermost shell of the dwelling. a system of triangulation’s provide flexibility in the geometry of the new constructed surface. inside, a series of continuous spaces directly open to the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between each environment.

(left) open terrace (right) bathtub

undulating pathways wrap the perimeter of the home, connecting various functions and further intersecting the residence with the circumventing landscape.

entrance

both grey and black water are treated on site and used to feed plants on the site that is still recovering from nineteenth and twentieth century deforestation and bush fires.

living room

night shot

physical model

physical model

floor plan

exploded axo

formal diagram