Designing a Sustainable Home: A Resort-Like Retreat
- albinavanjour
- Oct 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 24, 2025
A Gift of Trust
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.
Passion for Sustainable Design
I’ve always been passionate about sustainable design. The challenge here was blending raw, industrial materials like steel, concrete, and glass with warmth and character. Recycled timber and natural stone helped soften the lines, while soft neutral tones created a calm, resort-like atmosphere.
The Centrepiece: A Stunning Swimming Pool
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, with 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 the ground to store and slowly release warmth. This design reduces 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.
A Lasting Legacy
This project remains one of my favourites. It is a perfect example of how sustainable home design in Sydney can be both luxurious and timeless.
Awards and Recognition
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.
