A home defined by openness and retreat

Project at a Glance
Civil/Structural Engineer: Xeros Piccolo Consulting Engineers
Surveyor: Wagga Surveyors
Towner Planner: Twenty/20 Town Planning and Development Services
Geotechnical: Inland Geotechnical 

Currently in Developed Design, this new family home at Lake Albert brings together contemporary country character with carefully considered planning.

The design is defined by a series of articulated gables, breaking the overall scale into smaller, welcoming forms that feel familiar and grounded. From the street, the home presents as calm and composed; internally, it opens into generous, light-filled spaces shaped for everyday living.

A central living spine forms the heart of the home, connecting kitchen, dining and lounge in a seamless sequence. Large double-glazed openings draw natural light deep into the plan while maintaining year-round comfort, and increased ceiling heights introduce a sense of volume without overwhelming the home’s domestic scale.

The plan is carefully zoned, with private bedrooms and retreat spaces positioned away from the main living areas to allow for both connection and separation. A dedicated study, sewing room, mudroom and integrated storage reflect the individuality of the family while supporting the practical rhythms of daily life.

A key challenge in the project has been balancing openness with retreat — ensuring generous shared spaces without compromising acoustic and visual privacy. The articulated gable form became a critical device in resolving this, allowing the plan to expand and contract in response to use.

The intention is simple: to create spaces that feel as comfortable and functional on a busy weekday afternoon as they do during long, relaxed weekends.

Material selections balance warmth and durability, combining vertical metal cladding, stone and timber accents with a considered roof form that sits comfortably within its Lake Albert context. Behind the scenes, insulation, orientation and glazing have been carefully resolved to meet contemporary performance standards and ensure long-term comfort.

As always, the project continues to evolve through close collaboration with our clients and local builder — refining proportions, detailing and those quieter moments that ultimately make the house feel like home.