Our wauchope manufacturer, Bago Woodworks, delivered a stunning curved balustrate for this contemporary home on the shores of Smiths Lake on the Midnorth Coast of NSW. The use of timber as a key element of the design was important in blending the home with the site and providing a warmth to compliment the rammed earth walls.

Even with the constraints of a high level bushfire assessment, timber was skillfully utilised externally and internally presenting as a dominant material. These timbers came from a mix of new, site-milled and salvaged sources. The use of timbers from the site truly assists in the integration of the built form into its surroundings.

Recycled jarrah was available from a local timber merchant, and with the client hailing from Western Australia it seemed an appropriate introduction to the palette of materials. The warmth of its red hues provided a perfect centre piece to the primary living area with a large slab used for the top of the kitchen island bench. It was also used for the feature external cladding.

A blackbutt bush pole, cut from the house site, emerges through the island bench to support an exposed timber framed mezzanine space. The mezzanine is constructed from locally sourced blackbutt framing timbers and red mahogany flooring. The curves, form and texture of the timber elements provide a perfect counterpoint to the more rectilinear form of the dwelling itself. Red mahogany floor boards are used on all but lowest level of the home.

Blackbutt, recycled oregon and red mahogany were combined with hoop pine plywood to create custom built joinery, some pieces built in and others freestanding. The bunk room features beds crafted from the deep sections of Oregon. Red mahogany also features as the internal reveals to the windows.

The stair, wrapping around a rammed earth wall, is constructed of blackbutt with a vertical jarrah balustrade. The timbers throughout the house are finished with Danish oil.

Viist the Australia Timber Design Awards website to vote for one of 2 projects that Sentrel Products are entered into.

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