The Broke House provides its inhabitants with a series of intimate spaces that blend seamlessly with the serene landscape of the Hunter Valley. Situated on a cleared, gently sloping North East facing hillside, its long East West axis has been positioned to take advantage of solar access, cross ventilation and extensive open views across 4 hectares of vineyards.
A series of pavilions are arranged around several courtyards, establishing varying levels of intimacy in contrast to the surrounding valley and mountain range. The house engages with the vast surrounding landscape rather than being arbitrarily placed within it. The courtyards are used as an organisational element and provide an active and accessible foreground to the landscape. They contain deciduous trees and water features contrasting colourfully with the dry native landscape.
The roof elements, whilst subtly recalling traditional farmhouses, create a hierarchy of spaces throughout the house. Dramatic high ceilings define the main spaces, whilst low ceilings mark the circulation and secondary spaces. The clients’ extensive and inspiring art collection, which requires defined walls and display space was a generator in the design,
The house consists of three main zones: an indoor/outdoor living area, a private zone and a guest wing.
The main living area, both indoor and outdoor, is intimate enough for day-to-day living and yet also suitable for entertaining large groups. It provides an elevated platform from which to view the valley. The outdoor room connects the main living area with the pool terrace. Enclosed by two walls of retractable fly screens and an operable roof, the room is designed to provide a flexible environment.
The clients’ private zone is separated from the living areas with a concealed pivoting panel. It consists of a bedroom, two offices and an en-suite and courtyard, with outdoor shower.
The guest rooms are accessed off the gallery hall and overlook the walled northern courtyard that contains an organic vegetable garden.
The design is an environmental response to the huge temperature ranges of the region. The concrete floors in the main living area are protected by the overhanging roof in summer and provide heat through thermal mass in the winter months.
Cooling and heating are efficiently achieved using cross-ventilation, ceiling-mounted fans, an off-peak electric under-floor system and a traditional slow combustion fireplace. In winter, unused parts of the house can be closed off to retain heat. Rather than revealing the view with huge areas of glass, which would compromise thermal efficiency, each room’s windows frame views or capture specific glimpses. The roof and walls have air-cell insulation providing excellent thermal performance.
The house is designed to harvest, conserve and recycle water. An underground water tank is replenished by the roof catchment system. An efficient worm farm system recycles all of the house sewerage and most household waste, including paper.