PROJECT GALLERY
More About This Project
The Brief
The clients approached Distinct Innovations in 2020 seeking a contemporary family home designed specifically for their acreage property rather than adapted from a predetermined plan. The brief called for five bedrooms, multiple living zones, generous entertaining areas, a three-car garage, swimming pool and detached pool cabana. The aim was to create a substantial home that made full use of the property while remaining practical, cohesive and tailored to the way the family wanted to live.
The Design Response
The residence was developed as a series of connected forms rather than one large building mass, allowing the substantial floor area to sit more comfortably within its acreage setting. Living and entertaining spaces form the centre of the home, while separate zones provide greater distinction between family, guest and private areas.
The three-car garage is positioned with its doors facing away from the street, reducing its visual dominance and allowing the front elevation to remain focused on the architecture of the residence.
Orientation was also carefully considered. Although the property has a predominantly east-west orientation, three principal living areas were designed with northern exposure to capture valuable winter sunlight. The extensive frontage and available land allowed the residence to develop horizontally, strengthening the relationship between the internal living areas, alfresco spaces, landscaping and pool.
The approximately 3.267-hectare site also presented several planning and technical considerations. The property includes open grassland, areas of forest vegetation and terrain falling towards natural drainage features associated with the wider Nepean River landscape.
The site is located within a mine subsidence area, requiring coordination with Subsidence Advisory NSW. Bushfire assessment, on-site wastewater servicing and rainwater collection were also incorporated into the project from the outset. The bushfire assessment concluded that the proposed dwelling did not require a nominated BAL construction level under that assessment, subject to its recommendations being implemented.
Project Outcome
Razorback House demonstrates the value of allowing a custom home design to develop through detailed consultation rather than forcing a predetermined plan onto the site. What began with the clients’ brief in 2020 evolved through concept design, design development and approval documentation into a highly individual contemporary acreage residence. The Distinct Innovations design received Council approval, including subsequent approved refinements, and is now being brought to life.