Wadandi people of the Nyoongar nation
Western Australia
Wildwood Barn is a sophisticated, non-excessive holiday home with honest materials. A highly collaborative process, the resulting friendship between architect and client has been as much of a take home success as the building.Â
The Wildwood Valley holds pristine views of the Indian Ocean, and is consequently vulnerable to sweeping fronts that funnel through. The home provides a sanctuary to enjoy the valley in all its seasons. Â Eaves are un-lined and the gutter dropped down with chamfered edges, celebrating water collection. Timber window placements are considered; framing views but not exploiting them. The project is BAL29 and embraces low maintenance materials. The project currently employs full service of rainwater water tanks, ATU wastewater treatment and capacity for self-sufficient energy.Â
This project is a testament to a team that trusted the process, embraced simplicity and good design over excess.Â
Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The Wildwood Barn draws on the familiar rural shed typology while elevating it through a disciplined architectural approach. A restrained, workmanlike entry gives way to interiors that feel warm, luminous, and inviting. The plan carefully balances intimate retreat with larger gatherings, maintaining spatial coherence throughout. Oriented toward expansive valley and ocean views, the house engages the broader landscape while turning away from neighbours to ensure privacy. This balance of openness and withdrawal creates a calm, introspective dwelling defined by refuge and quiet repose.
Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The Wildwood Barn draws on the familiar rural shed typology while elevating it through a disciplined architectural approach. A restrained, workmanlike entry gives way to interiors that feel warm, luminous, and inviting. The plan carefully balances intimate retreat with larger gatherings, maintaining spatial coherence throughout. Oriented toward expansive valley and ocean views, the house engages the broader landscape while turning away from neighbours to ensure privacy. This balance of openness and withdrawal creates a calm, introspective dwelling defined by refuge and quiet repose.
Essentially, we wanted a place for our family to be together in the long term that felt different to our home in Perth suburbs. Drawing on the immediate environment and celebrating natural, honest finishes. The small footprint dictated by tight budget constraints drove a highly efficient accomodation half of the building, allowing a spacious flexible communal area for our family of four, but expanding to accomodate guests. Using the Northern orientation for the alfresco area, sheltered from prevailing winds gives real protection from the elements but allows views of the valley and ocean from our wooden sanctuary.Â