SouthThe Journey
The original home on this ridge was lost to bushfire in 2020. This is how Down South rose in its place.
In the summer bushfires of 2020, the original home on this ridge was lost. What the fire left was the land, the blackbutt standing on it and the view south to the sea.
The new house was designed to belong to that land and to stand up to it: timber from the property milled into its frame and cladding, charred cladding that remembers the fire, and a 12m pool that doubles as a firefighting water reserve.
Site preparation, footings and the slab poured on the final high point of the ridge, before the land falls away to the south.
The frame rises, the skillion roof lifts toward the view and the timber cladding wraps the pavilions.
The finished house, from the pool and pavilion to the bedrooms and the coast beyond.
Dusk settles over timber, stone and glass.
The build
Ten stages, from bare ridge to the first sunset. Build photography by Somethings Wild for New View Building Solutions.
The ridge after the fire: open grassland, spotted gums and the lake below.
Footings dug and the slab poured on the high point of the ridge.
Steel beams craned into place and the frame rising over the slab.
The water tank goes in and the roof goes on, under full scaffold.
Recycled brick, charred timber cladding and the first of the windows.
The scaffold comes down to show the timber ceilings, and the pool is dug.
The pergola and cabana take shape beside the pool.
Joinery, stairs and polished floors as the house nears handover.
Lawn, planting and the fire pit settle the house into the land.
Down South, complete.
Media and Awards
Six from the Master Builders Association of NSW Southern Regions Excellence in Building Awards, and one from the Australian Glass and Window Association.