Hennings Lane

Location / Austinmer, Dharawal Nation.

Built / 2021
Designer / Dane Taylor

Doors and windows / Architectural Hardwood Joinery
Kitchen, joinery & furniture / Robin Clancy
Photography / Daniel Mulheran

The Butterfly House sits snug on a narrow block in Austinmer. The structure turning away from its southern laneway frontage, embraces its connection with the Illawarra gumtree escarpment to the north and west. The feeling of the home is about refuge and retreat, with a warm hand-crafted material palette of Australian Blackbutt, recycled hardwoods and locally sourced rammed earth. Inspiration for the home was drawn from the client’s connection with Japan by using timber screening and Shou Sugi Ban (a traditional Japanese technique of charring timber cladding). Essential sustainability inclusions of a 5kw solar system, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, recycled materials, and thermal mass were all carefully integrated.

Words by Dane Taylor