We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to ancestors, country and community. We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present and to their enduring cultures.
The project originated from the client’s desire to create a home that was perfectly tailored to their needs, both in size and functionality, and with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. The result is a compact, highly efficient residence designed for a small family of two to three people, situated in the hills of Valpolicella near Verona (Italy). Nestled beside an existing pool and oriented toward a stunning vista of the valley and its vineyards, the house embraces both its landscape and its climate.
The floor plan features an open-plan living area and kitchen, anchored by a large window framing views of the pool and surrounding hills. The private zone includes a master bedroom, a single bedroom, and a bathroom. Each room has been thoughtfully positioned to maximise passive solar gains in winter and encourage natural cross-ventilation during the summer months, reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
The chosen construction system is based on a modular timber frame infilled with straw bales. This approach was selected for its exceptional sustainability credentials, outstanding insulating properties, and the opportunity to drastically reduce operational energy use. The high thermal performance of the straw envelope ensures that the house requires minimal energy for heating, contributing to year-round comfort with very low running costs.
All coatings and foundation elements are made exclusively from natural materials such as stone, lime, and clay. The design eliminates the use of concrete entirely and keeps metal and plastic components to an absolute minimum. The double-pitched roof, also insulated with straw bales, features photovoltaic panels on the south-facing slope, while the north side is finished with a sedum green roof to further enhance thermal performance and ecological value.
A 6 kW south-facing photovoltaic system, paired with a battery storage unit, enables the house to operate independently from the electricity grid for most of the year. This strategy supports the project’s overarching goal: to create a home that is not only environmentally responsible in its materiality but also largely self-sufficient in energy use.
