ndowing this property with a sense of permanence and beautiful spaces that were also easy to maintain, CLO Studios director Chloe Tozer and senior interior designer Katrina Mair worked with Sealand Architects director David Teeland to create this sustainable country home for a family with young boys. Chloe Tozer: The furniture and styling elements are a relationship between rustic antique pieces and more traditional tailored silhouettes layered with dreamy soft linens to marry both themes. It was important that our selections lay lightly on the land and framed the stunning David Teeland: To reduce the bushfire risk, we removed flammable eucalyptus trees from around the house and replaced them with native rainforest plants that have a higher water content and will create a natural buffer. In case of fire, we designed the home primarily in Australian hardwoods that are naturally more fire resistant and added rainwater storage. DT: Once you move out of the Noosa township into the hinterland, there is no town water or wastewater infrastructure which offered a great opportunity to design a more sustainable house. The Australis house collects all its own rainwater to use in and around the home. Rainwater tastes fabulous and is also beautiful to wash and bathe with. The wastewater from the house is recycled using a secondary advanced system that imitates how it is cleaned in nature so the result can then be used in the garden. Although there is town power, we integrated a large 30kw solar system with dual-battery backup into the design. KM: Architecturally the shapes created within the home are quite unique and contemporary, so we wanted to add elements that take you back in history. Wingback chairs, relaxed leather, dishevelled linen, antique timbers, materials that will age with the home, adding dimension and memories. DT: The owners gave us a beautifully written brief that described the type of house they desired and how they would like to live. They wanted a house that would foster a connection with family, friends and the surrounding landscape. They were also attracted to more traditional roof forms and building elements. We have a deep affection for traditional Queensland architecture and were interested in designing a house that responded to the local climate, lifestyle and early Noosa buildings with their elegant gable roofs and timber construction. CT: The art selection was a fun collaboration between our studio and the owner, finding pieces that connected to the family while celebrating Australian talent. The art adds a lot of character and texture to each space. It was nice to work with a home with lots of walls to fill! KM: I love the relaxed set-up of the main lounge. It’s quite formal from a layout point of view, but once you start to engage with the room and the various pieces, you notice how each piece has been selected for a purpose, different outlooks and views, versatility and gathering. As there is no television in this space, it has a feeling of warmth that promotes gathering. DT: Australis is a family home that encourages an intimate connection between people and the surrounding natural environment. We are delighted that the house sits so comfortably in the landscape. The home is arranged into a series of interconnected pavilions that step down with the land and follow the natural topography. The refined gable roof forms of the house feel as though they belong to the area and contribute to a sense of place. DT: We planned the house to enjoy a wonderful connection with the landscape. All the main spaces have big sliding glass doors and windows that open onto the beautiful native forest. We discovered these serene creek lines in the gullies below the house, that were surrounded by native palm forests. CT: It was a humbling project to have been a part of and every site visit felt like an escape. It has so much space for growth and easy living – it’s the perfect Australian family home. KM: This young family’s primary residence is set deep in the Noosa hinterland and they are able to escape directly into the bush from their doorstep and enjoy the bush surrounds.
