As a perennial Treehugger favorite, off-grid homes can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from the tiny to the ultra-minimalist, all the way to prefabricated and modular options. Whatever form they may take, these self-sufficient dwellings represent a renewed connection with nature, where one’s needs are closely tied with what nature can provide.
Out in the remote area of High Camp, about one hour north of Melbourne, Australia, Ben Callery Architects (previously) created this off-grid refuge for a retired couple looking for a simple, self-sufficient dwelling that would be protected from the harsh elements of the bush.
Situated on top of a hill that is dotted by a handful of lonely trees, the Elemental House is designed to immerse its inhabitants in the natural landscape – its thick roof offering shelter from the blistering sun, bushfires, and voracious winds that approach cyclone-like speeds, while also providing sweeping, expansive views of a rugged landscape. As the firm explains:
With a footprint of 1,614 square feet (150 square meters), the home has an orientation for the living room that favors the spectacular views to the east, while also allowing for passive solar gain on its northern side, where the bedroom and bathroom are located.
The cabin sits on a remote site of 100 acres of former farmland. Its seclusion meant that the home had to be completely self-sufficient in terms of energy and water. To achieve this, the design includes a 24-panel solar power system that can store and provide electricity even on the cloudiest of days, in addition to two large water tanks that store harvested rainwater—all of which are located in an area near the house.
Besides this, a woodstove in the living room offers sufficient heating in winter, and a 5-kilowatt split-system air conditioner cools things down efficiently during the hot summers. All of the energy needs of the home are minimized, thanks to its well-insulated, thermally efficient envelope.
The extensive eaves over the house help to shelter the occupants from the brutal sun.
Yet, there are also two wooden decks—north and south, with one holding an outdoor bathtub—which helps one to embrace the blazing sunlight.
The choice of Australian spotted gum timber for the exterior was not only an aesthetic one but also a practical one, say the architects:
Inside, the architects have the material and color palette simple and somber—darkly painted oriented strand board (OSB) for the cabinetry, the thick thermal mass of the concrete floor, spotted gum timber for the ceiling—all of it extending a visual refuge from the bright austerity of the landscape outside.
The kitchen is laid out to emphasize that landscape, with an emphasis on horizontal lines along the counter, island, and the mirrored backsplash.
Along one glazed wall, there is a low and lengthy bench, which not only meets the bushfire safety requirements that they are a certain height off the ground but also provides opportunities to completely soak up the incredible vistas beyond.
As the firm says, the overarching idea is to create a stunning home where one can immerse oneself in the natural elements, even as it provides protection:
To see more, visit Ben Callery Architects and Instagram.
