Howqua House

Insights
from the
architect.

The Site

Located within Victoria’s high country, Howqua is a beautiful part of the rural landscape. This site rises above the Howqua River flats with a northerly aspect looking out onto a fruit orchard. A tranquil place to call home and the perfect spot to raise children with native wildlife and walking tracks for endless explorations.

The Design

The family has a very outdoors lifestyle, yet also desired a space to protect them from strong winds.

The home consists of two forms joined by an entry knuckle that hug the north-facing deck, capturing the winter sun and creating a private sanctuary for the distillery. During summer, the house expands out, opening up so that occupants can enjoy indoor-outdoor living and surrounding views.

External Venetian blinds have been chosen to protect the home from summer sun. Exterior Venetian blinds are a highly efficient shading system that controls the amount of light coming into the room, protecting against both temperature and UV rays, leaving 80-90% of sun rays outside.

Materials

Colorbond cladding in the shade Night Sky has been proposed to mirror the adjoining distillery building. Internally vaulted cathedral ceilings emphasise and celebrate the gable roof’s 26 degree internal pitch.

Bushfire Attack Level Rating

The home has a BAL rating of 29.

– Colorbond external cladding has been chosen to comply with BAL 29 rating

– Silvertop Ash has been chosen for the decking, with Silvertop Ash identified by the Building Commission in Victoria as one of seven hardwood timber species suitable for home construction in bushfire areas. Reduced gaps in the boards ensures minimised risk of ember attack.

– A 10,000L water tank is located on the property with cleared pathways for firefighting purposes