Laneway House by Jim Buda Architects

Jim Buda Architects has crafted Laneway House to offer the owners a place that feels like a permanent vacation home. Complemented by Tesla’s Powerwall, the family home also features an array of materials and design elements that enhance the owners’ living experiences.

From the front gate, a linear view through the home to the harbour reveals its waterfront perks. After being provided a loose brief, where the clients outlined they wanted a home that responded to the natural surroundings, Jim Buda Architects was afforded a certain level of freedom to design the owners’ dream home. With its long, rectangular form, the architect faced some challenges where the team had to maximise the harbour aspect as well as the solar access to the north. However, Jim Buda Architects designed the home in such a way that it respects all views, from the city to the harbour, and responds to all climate conditions.

Upon entering the home, the architect has built a utility room to the left, which holds the sustainable Tesla Powerwall.

Looming over the entrance, with plants cascading from the garage rooftop, Laneway House strikes an imposing yet complementary silhouette on the waterfront landscape. Upon entering the home, the architect has placed a utility room to the left, which holds the sustainable Tesla Powerwalls. Laneway House features 59 solar panels on the roof, which drives its sustainable output. The remainder of the downstairs area holds the guest bathroom and, further along, a media room. Continuing down to the main living spaces, the dining, kitchen and informal living area are complemented with views of the backyard and pool. However, once opened up to the rear deck, the harbour vistas come into full focus.

After journeying a set of stairs that run up the side of a six-metre-high glass wall, the bedrooms area revealed. Featuring four additional bedrooms and three bathrooms on this floor, the end of the corridor holds the main suite that features a walk-in wardrobe as well as stunning views of the harbour. For the key material elements of home, Jim Buda Architects focuses on texture. For this reason, brickwork, timber, off-form concrete and render walls are heavily featured throughout. Every material element was selected to add authenticity to the home as well as a textural component as the light changes throughout the day. For the interior, the architect utilises black quartzite benchtops, fluted cabinetry and a select timber veneer that was also used in the main bedroom and wardrobe.

As the dwelling is a new build, the clients knew that solar energy was going to play an integral part in how the home functioned, and therefore Tesla Powerwall was a clear choice for them.

Leading the Laneway House project is a strong commitment to sustainability. Believing this to be just as integral as the decor elements and material selections, Jim Buda Architects includes two Tesla Powerwalls in the design, allowing the home to make and store its own energy. The client is also able to control the residence through the Tesla app by seeing how the power is being utilised. As the dwelling is a new build, the clients knew that solar energy was going to play an integral part in how the home functioned, and therefore Tesla Powerwall was a clear choice for them. For the installation process of the Tesla Powerwall, Jim Buda Architects found a certified installer who was able to connect it with ease.

Between the efforts of the architect, the client and the builder, Laneway House is designed to be a joyful dream home. Complemented by two Tesla Powerwalls and solar panels, the homeowners can rest assured that their residence is giving back through its sustainable means.

Architecture by Jim Buda Architects. Interior Design by The Design Consultant. Build by Watershed Building Group. Timber by Abodo.