This corner block in Dalkeith – opposite a substantial park – makes the most of its natural parkland setting and east-west orientation. 

Beyond the site’s edges, wide verges on two sides have been planted with local native species to surround the house with greenery and add privacy.

The house was constructed with a combination of local red clay face bricks and concrete, which reduce the need for maintenance over the life of the building. These materials also help the house to deliberately recede into its verdant setting.

The L-shaped design is placed close to the southern boundary – where a fortress-like wall provides adequate protection from the street – allowing the house to open up to the north. 

Once inside, the design offers a surprising degree of transparency with plenty of visual connections across both levels, thanks to the combination of skylights, the central void, and the gallery space that links the various working parts of the house.

Both levels enjoy strong indoor-outdoor connections too. The ground floor rooms and spaces connect with the pool and outdoor living area, while upstairs, the main kitchen, dining and living areas take in expansive views of the adjacent parklands. A projecting balcony enhances the sense of being at home in the treetops.

The house generates renewable energy thanks to two skillion roofs tiled with integrated solar collectors – to power the house and electric-car charger in the garage.