Gardening Ballarat Victoria

Ballarat in Victoria Australia is known for its great gardens and this house by John Wardle Architects establishes a direct connection with the outdoors and its community through this. The home is composed as a series of pavilions, courtyards and gardens that are arrayed off an anchoring pivot. The differing gardens: formal, public, rambling, courtyard, and kitchen provide a variety of outlooks from within the house, accentuated by changing light and seasonal coloration.

This pivot point is the kitchen and generous central courtyard. The front pavilion is constructed of brick and overgrown with a deciduous ivy which changes colour with the seasons. Cantilevering into this room is possibly the world’s longest kitchen bench, which floats through the space against the solid bank of warm timber joinery on its opposing side. The use of natural materials especially timber cladding is hallmark of Wardle’s design aesthetic. The kitchen has been lovingly crafted and given pride of place at the centre of the house.

The house integrates several sustainable strategies, including passive solar orientation, natural cross ventilation, double glazing, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water, and photovoltaic panels which speaks to our bight and abundant environment.

Story by Nic-Kaiko Follow him on Instagram kaiko_design

photographs: Peter Bennetts