Located in Fish Creek, a township Southeast of Melbourne, a modular getaway allows its owners to escape the whirlwind of the city and focus on their goal of more mindful living. Designed for energy efficiency and to have a minimal impact on the environment, Fish Creek House was inspired by the principles of permaculture and the homeowners’ desire to be self-sufficient as they work towards minimizing their carbon footprint.

Unsurprisingly, the three-bedroom, 1,371-square-foot home is sustainable both inside and out. The design is separated into two modules—one for sleeping and one for living. The sleeping module is nestled against the edge of the forest and oriented to the northwest to provide protection from the wind. The living module, by contrast, faces the sea and offers stunning views via expansive walls of glass that open to the surrounding deck. Cavity sliding doors join the modules, acting as noise barriers between living and sleeping, and save on electricity by minimizing heat loss during the winter months.

Other sustainable elements include rainwater tanks, a septic tank, a wood burner to provide heat in winter, and strategically placed operable windows and doors for cross ventilation in summer—all of which make the home at Fish Creek a self-sustaining gem. Most important, however, is the fact that the homeowners are in love their new abode and the green lifestyle it promotes.

“This home is designed specifically for us, it’s truly unique, and is inspiring us to live off the land,” say the clients. “It recharges the family, brings us closer together and with nature.”

Project Credits:
Architect of record: Archiblox / @archiblox
Builder/General Contractor: Archiblox
Structural Engineer: Santo Engineering, Santo Pascuzzi
Interior Design: Archiblox
Cabinetry Design: Archiblox

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One Couple’s Modular Retreat Supports Their Sustainable Lifestyle