Terra Anima | Ian Sercombe Architect

Terra Anima is a new dwelling on a large rural acreage on the Midnorth Coast of NSW on Worimi Country. The home has been designed to maximise energy efficiency, be off grid for power, water and sewer and use predominantly low embodied energy and low embodied carbon natural materials.

Planning for the house is a combination of maximising passive solar design principles, a functional layout to suit the family workflow, integrating permaculture based gardens and to take in the impressive views to the north.

The extensive use of natural materials, typically rammed earth and hardwoods, help connect the occupants to the bush setting as well as providing a healthy environment. Large double glazed sliding doors allow for plenty of winter sun to heat up the thermal mass of the concrete floor and rammed earth, plenty of ventilation in summer and blur the lines between internal and external spaces.