Austinmer, 2022.

Builder: Green Smith & Co

Team: Dane Taylor, Hans Freymadl

Photography: Daniel Mulheran

Butterfly House is quietly nestled on a narrow block in Austinmer, a coastal village that lies against the Illawarra escarpment. The home turns its back to the southern laneway, opening instead to the filtered light and rhythms of the surrounding gum trees to the north and west. This careful orientation creates a sense of retreat and connection, drawing in the landscape and offering a place of refuge.

The design is shaped by a warm and hand-crafted material palette. Australian recycled hardwoods, and locally sourced rammed earth come together to create a grounded presence, their textures inviting touch and reflection. Each detail is composed with care, layering natural materials to create spaces that feel both intimate and expansive.

The design draws inspiration from the client’s connection to Japan. Timber screens filter light and movement in a way that recalls the delicate shoji of traditional Japanese architecture. Shou Sugi Ban, the ancient technique of charring timber cladding, brings a textured richness and a sense of permanence. These thoughtful details embed cultural narrative into the home, balancing the Australian bushland with Japanese sensibilities.

Sustainability is central to the design. A five-kilowatt solar system, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and the use of recycled and locally sourced materials enhance the home’s environmental performance. Thermal mass within the rammed earth walls moderates temperature, creating comfort throughout the seasons.

Butterfly House offers a quiet and tactile response to its context. It is a place where materiality, landscape, and personal story are woven together, creating a home that feels both protective and open.

Recognition

Shortlisted for the 2023 Houses Awards in the New House under 200 square metre category and a finalist in the Australian Timber Design Awards for Residential Architecture, Butterfly House has been celebrated for its sensitive approach to materials and place.

Client Testimonial

"I was drawn to Dane’s thoughtful approach from the beginning. He listened, really listened, to what I wanted and how I live with a disability. The house feels like an extension of me, of the landscape, of everything I love. The little details like the charred timber, the Japanese timber screens, it all feels personal and intentional. I feel so lucky to call this place home." - Helen Meekosha