Using as much recycled timber and light weight materials as possible, designer Jo Fewster of Jo Fewster Architects has created a stunning looking and eco-friendly home.

Timber roof trusses with zincalume roofing over were used for the roof renovation, with timber stud frame walls made of recycled timber weatherboards used to clad the home.

The timber framed floor was lined with recycled spotted gum timber floorboards, which was also used for the back yard deck.

Warm in winter, cool in summer

Using insulation in excess of minimum requirements has provided a great interior thermal environment where the inside temperature in winter is warm, and in summer the house stays cool.

Installation of a new solar hot water system also reduces gas consumption and running costs and by using as much recycled timber as possible construction costs were kept down. The design was rationalized to eliminate the need for any steelwork structure on site.

With so many of the environmentally sustainable materials and techniques adopted not so clearly visible, a decision was made to make an architectural feature out of the rainwater design – instead of hiding them down the side of the house, the tanks were made out of galvanized steel and were placed to appear as columns within the structure. The client uses the rainwater collected to water all