Naiko Retreat

by Max Pritchard Gunner Architects

The home was designed to incorporate a number of sustainability initiatives including:


Passive thermal design – Winter: The linear house form runs east west, allowing winter sun to penetrate the north facing windows. The daytime heat is absorbed by the concrete floor and stone walls, so it can be reradiated at night. Double glazing helps to retain this heat. An efficient free-standing wood heater provides additional heating, with firewood sustainably sourced on site. A heat transfer duct spreads the heat to the rest of the house.


Passive thermal design – Summer: The narrow plan form encourages cross ventilation, allowing cooling breezes to provide most of the summer cooling. A low energy use evaporative cooler provides additional cooling on the rare occasions it is required.

The home was designed to incorporate a number of sustainability initiatives including:


Passive thermal design – Winter: The linear house form runs east west, allowing winter sun to penetrate the north facing windows. The daytime heat is absorbed by the concrete floor and stone walls, so it can be reradiated at night. Double glazing helps to retain this heat. An efficient free-standing wood heater provides additional heating, with firewood sustainably sourced on site. A heat transfer duct spreads the heat to the rest of the house.


Passive thermal design – Summer: The narrow plan form encourages cross ventilation, allowing cooling breezes to provide most of the summer cooling. A low energy use evaporative cooler provides additional cooling on the rare occasions it is required.

From the Architect

Naiko Retreat is nestled into a steep hill on South Australia’s windswept and rugged south coast, close to Deep Creek Conservation Park. It overlooks a small private cove and has sweeping sea views across to Kangaroo Island.

The iconic curved roof form echoes the rolling hills and waves. Plywood ceilings, black aluminum windows, burnished concrete and local stone feature prominently.

Accommodation includes 3 bedrooms with ensuites. The main living space opens out to an elevated deck on the seaside and a sheltered courtyard, recessed into the hill, on the north side.

The home was designed to incorporate a number of sustainability initiatives including:


Passive thermal design – Winter: The linear house form runs east west, allowing winter sun to penetrate the north facing windows. The daytime heat is absorbed by the concrete floor and stone walls, so it can be reradiated at night. Double glazing helps to retain this heat. An efficient free-standing wood heater provides additional heating, with firewood sustainably sourced on site. A heat transfer duct spreads the heat to the rest of the house.


Passive thermal design – Summer: The narrow plan form encourages cross ventilation, allowing cooling breezes to provide most of the summer cooling. A low energy use evaporative cooler provides additional cooling on the rare occasions it is required.

Water: All roof water is collected and stored for reuse in 5 concrete rainwater tanks which are embedded into the hill on the north side.

Power: There is no mains power to the site. A carefully designed solar and battery system provide for the houses electricity needs.

Materials: Locally sourced stone is a prominent feature inside and outside the house

From the Architect

Naiko Retreat is nestled into a steep hill on South Australia’s windswept and rugged south coast, close to Deep Creek Conservation Park. It overlooks a small private cove and has sweeping sea views across to Kangaroo Island.

The iconic curved roof form echoes the rolling hills and waves. Plywood ceilings, black aluminum windows, burnished concrete and local stone feature prominently.

Accommodation includes 3 bedrooms with ensuites. The main living space opens out to an elevated deck on the seaside and a sheltered courtyard, recessed into the hill, on the north side.

The home was designed to incorporate a number of sustainability initiatives including:

Passive thermal design – Winter: The linear house form runs east west, allowing winter sun to penetrate the north facing windows. The daytime heat is absorbed by the concrete floor and stone walls, so it can be reradiated at night. Double glazing helps to retain this heat. An efficient free-standing wood heater provides additional heating, with firewood sustainably sourced on site. A heat transfer duct spreads the heat to the rest of the house.

Passive thermal design – Summer: The narrow plan form encourages cross ventilation, allowing cooling breezes to provide most of the summer cooling. A low energy use evaporative cooler provides additional cooling on the rare occasions it is required.

Water: All roof water is collected and stored for reuse in 5 concrete rainwater tanks which are embedded into the hill on the north side.

Power: There is no mains power to the site. A carefully designed solar and battery system provide for the houses electricity needs.

Materials: Locally sourced stone is a prominent feature inside and outside the house