Materia was developed by a single force acting as client, builder, and architect, serving as a laboratory for the "Architect as Maker". Rejecting the disposable culture of modern housing, it approaches sustainability as a fundamental commitment to longevity and the craft of making. The site became a studio where 3D modelling and rapid prototyping intersected with hand sketching to create hundreds of unique details throughout the house.
This obsession with precision extends below the surface, operating on the philosophy that the "construction under the skin" must be as resolved as the visible finish. Achieving Passivhaus Plus certification was not merely about energy metrics, but a rigorous quality assurance mechanism to ensure the structure endures for generations. By integrating significant solar generation and battery storage with an airtight envelope, Materia operates as an almost off-grid "machine for living". This creates a stable, filtered environment that eliminates thermal fluctuations, delivering a "sensory silence" that actively contributes to wellbeing.
This future-focused performance is deeply grounded in the site's history. The existing double brick external walls were retained to act as a protective shell for the new high-performance volume. Additionally, several thousand linear metres of timber were salvaged from the demolition and reintegrated into the joinery, stairs, and lighting. This reduces embodied carbon while imbuing the home with a soul, fusing the high-tech capabilities of Passivhaus Plus with a tactile warmth and materiality.
Ultimately, individual design elements are only as powerful as their connection to the whole. The obsession of Materia lies in this synthesis - weaving the physical weight of the structure with the ephemeral qualities of light and atmosphere. This orchestration creates a rich, tactile landscape designed to evoke feeling, ensuring the result is not just a building, but a profound, sensory experience.
Unfortunately, no wheelchair access for this property
