Removed, Yet Open – Natural Lane House by DFJ Architects
In its seclusion, Natural Lane House references familiar cues that connect to its removed location while also embracing the openness of its proximity to the coast. DFJ Architects utilises a strong and linear formal approach to frame views outward and ensure an immersive internal experience is created.
Enviably located in its removed and reclusive locale, Natural Lane House is an embrace of its sitting in Broken Head in New South Wales. Sitting nestled up against dense forest on one side, the house sees a contrasted approach of push and pull at play, with gestures of open and closed elements connecting the building to its natural setting and optimising ventilation, outward views and solar gain and attenuation. Lying low and linear to its terrain, the uniquely coastal home makes the most of its proximity to both the vastness of the ocean and the layered texture of the nearby foliage. DFJ Architects draws from contextual influences in the weaving of natural materiality into the final resolve, as a fitting offering to its location.
Built by Rod Sironen Constructions, Natural Lane House is weighted in the mass of its constructed elements, while also sitting lightly in its impact through sustainable mechanisms on site. A home of environmental consciousness, the structure utilises natural and locally sourced materials, ensuring reduced transport and the associated resources and energy. The integration of self-sufficient water harvesting and treatment systems on site also acts as an extension of this core ethos and ensures the home is introspective in both its form and its processes. While the exterior wrapping of warm materials hints at a reductive approach, the emphasis on the natural and sitting modestly on site is key.
The home takes form as a bent ‘L’ on site in response to the unique site. Aiming to take full advantage of its orientation and natural opportunities, the design adapts a passive approach. Both in creating core comfort internally and through an openness that embraces natural ventilation and access to sunlight and heat gains, operable façades, overhangs and thermal mass work to ensure the building and its fabric is constantly performing. The interior lived experience extends outward, with large expansive overhangs offering shelter and a series of outdoor rooms. Calming and connected to the adjacent rainforest, the use of honest and natural materials offers a robustness needed for its remote location.
