Resort-Style Living: A Sustainable Home in Luddenham Designed by Luke Van Jour Distinct Innovations
- albinavanjour
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
When the owners first reached out, it was through a happy client referral, always the best kind.
From our first meeting, I knew this would be a designer’s dream. They were a young, open-minded couple with a clear budget and a shared love for contemporary architecture.
The owner said something I’ll never forget:
“This is your baby. Push the limits and create a home that feels like a resort, somewhere every day feels like a holiday.”
That statement set the creative tone for everything that followed.
Designing a Sustainable Home with Freedom and Purpose
The Client gave me one of the greatest gifts a designer can receive, total trust. They provided a simple brief and left me free to explore the architecture.
My goal was to design a modern, sustainable, and luxurious home that would feel both striking and deeply comfortable.
I’ve always been passionate about sustainable design. The challenge here was blending raw, industrial materials like steel, concrete, glass with warmth and character. Recycled timber and natural stone helped soften the lines, while soft neutral tones gave the home a calm, resort-like atmosphere.
The swimming pool became the centrepiece of the design. Every main living area opens toward the water, creating a private oasis that glows with reflected light and connects the home to its landscape.
Smart Sustainable Home Design for Sydney’s Climate
Luddenham experiences wild temperature swings, freezing mornings in winter and blazing summer days. To keep the house naturally comfortable, I applied passive solar principles.
The floor plan was divided into three linked pavilions, oriented to true north for sunlight control and zoned for sound and privacy. The structure uses double brickwork with insulated cavities, double-glazed windows, and a concrete slab on ground to store and slowly release warmth, reducing the need for mechanical heating or cooling.
Cross-ventilation louvers and a home-automation system allow the entire house to “breathe” on summer nights with the press of a button.
When tested through AccuRate (CSIRO), the home performed exceptionally well, maintaining internal comfort all year with minimal energy use.
Powered by the Sun and Sustained by Rain
Energy efficiency extended beyond the walls. A 3 kW solar array was added, positioned to double as a shade canopy, cutting electricity bills by up to 30%.
Water sustainability was equally important. The owner installed a 100,000-litre rainwater tank connected to irrigation and the pool system, along with low-flow fittings and native landscaping. Every detail contributed to a home that lives lightly on the land.
The Result: Comfort, Beauty, and a 7-Star Rating
After an independent ABSA assessment, the home achieved a 7-Star Energy Rating. A remarkable result at the time. To help the owners maintain peak comfort, I left them a simple “how-to” guide for using passive heating and cooling techniques throughout the seasons.
The result is exactly what the owners imagined. A resort-style retreat that celebrates modern design, natural comfort, and sustainable living. A home that truly feels like a holiday every day.
This project remains one of my favourites. A perfect example of how sustainable home design in Sydney can be both luxurious and timeless.
Winner - Custom Designed Homes Penrith City Council Design Awards
Featured in - Best Australian Architecture Magazine
Featured in - Daily Telegraph - Home Magazine“Who Needs A Brief Anyway”
See the whole gallery of The Verandah Home here.
