Porter Hill House

This family house is sited at the suburban fringe of Hobart on the edge of a bush reserve boasting commanding views across the River Derwent and down to Bruny Island.

The house is built to complement the local geography and to echo the folds of hills that surround this part of Hobart. The home is built over two main levels, with additional minor changes in level acting as subtle zoning devices that offer access to a number of external spaces. From the access driveway, the house steps up the hill in a series of gently curving forms that arc around the site to form a protective semi-enclosed central courtyard.

Feature stone walls, small areas of steel cladding and cement sheet and masonry provide a neutral palette complement the block work in selected areas to help define the layering of the building.

The home has been designed to capitalize on winter sun passively yet is also shaded by extended eaves to provide summer sun protection, and the design has cleverly incorporated elements to create a defensive barrier to bushfire threat.