Bicheno Beach House - Rammed Earth & Shou Sugi Ban on the East Coast of Tasmania

This home exudes honesty in construction. No greenwashing—just a site-responsive approach to high-performance living.

The Vision: A resilient, rural retreat on the East Coast of Tasmania that exudes honesty in construction. Moving beyond "greenwashing," this project is a site-responsive masterclass in high-performance living. The design centres on the exceptional thermal mass of rammed earth, framed within a structural soul of reclaimed wharf timber. By combining earth construction with charred timber (shou sugi ban) and reclaimed timber, the home’s carbon footprint is offset by a commitment to circular materials and architectural permanence.

The Execution: Working with specialised natural materials like rammed earth and massive reclaimed timbers demands precise coordination and respect for craft. Drawings had to be exact, and coordination of structure had to be on point. Bicheno Beach House provides multiple outdoor spaces to occupy as the days and seasons change. Covered outdoor spaces, spaces protected from the window, and spaces to take in the coastal views. A true forever home.