A Stone House Built for the Present and the Future

Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Tasmania, the Tinderbox House emerges as an architectural masterpiece. This sanctuary of tranquility was envisioned by Studio Ilk Architecture + Interiors, a manifestation of their commitment to coexisting with nature rather than intruding upon it.

The residence serves as a refuge from professional life, a place where calm and escape take precedence. At its core, the design is a testament to sustainability and longevity. The placement of the house is a consideration of both natural challenges and environmental factors.

With the goal of providing a sanctuary, the architects envisioned a structure that would not only endure but also positively contribute to its ecosystem. The residence is strategically oriented below the hill's crest, offering privacy from the water's edge and shelter from the elements. Here, a fusion of form and function is achieved - each room boasts a view of the water, bathed in abundant natural light.

To address the south-facing site, the architects ingeniously conceived a layout reminiscent of a sequence of pavilions, interspersed with mudstone walls. These walls not only serve as visual dividers but also as thermal mass elements, optimizing the house's efficiency. The tones of the mudstone walls resonate with the surrounding landscape, setting the tone for the entire material palette - from caramelized concrete floors to ochre-toned spotted gum wood cladding, chosen for their resistance to forest fires.

The house is a testament to the power of holistic sustainability, meticulously integrating a geothermal water heating and ventilation system, super-insulated walls, and a seamless integration between indoor and outdoor spaces. The cantilevered pool takes center stage, catering to both recreation and aesthetics.

The success of the Tinderbox House design lies in its ability to embrace the past - the excavated house and tunnel left by the previous owner - while building for a future that values comfort, intimacy, and ecological responsibility.

Ultimately, the Tinderbox House captures the essence of architectural harmony, where the elements of design, sustainability, and well-being are skillfully interwoven into a fabric that withstands the test of time.

Project: Tinderbox House
Architects: Studio Ilk Architecture + Interiors
Location: Tinderbox, Tasmania, Australia
Project size: 1767 m2
Site size: 69290 m2
Completion date 2021
Photo credits: Anjie Blair