Hercules

Hercules House was designed as a home that feels as good as it looks. Every decision, from the building fabric through to the smallest detail, was made with longevity, comfort and simplicity in mind.

Certified Passivhaus (with a 0.4ACh result), the home delivers exceptional thermal performance through a highly insulated and airtight envelope, carefully considered orientation and high-performance glazing. A balanced heat recovery ventilation system supplies fresh, filtered air throughout the home, creating a healthy indoor environment while maintaining a remarkably consistent temperature year-round. It’s the kind of comfort that’s difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it.

The structure itself is one of the defining features of the project. Rather than concealing the cross-laminated timber (CLT) behind plasterboard, the walls and ceilings have been left exposed, celebrating the natural warmth and character of the timber. A subtle two-tone finish softens the spaces while allowing the grain and texture to remain the hero. Achieving this level of simplicity required an enormous amount of coordination, with services carefully integrated so the architecture could remain clean and uninterrupted.

Natural light plays an equally important role. Large skylights introduce daylight deep into the home, while internal glazing allows borrowed light to reach spaces that would otherwise feel enclosed. One of our favourite details is the circular feature window, framed in custom brass, which captures and reflects changing light throughout the day. Brass continues as a subtle material palette throughout the home, from the skylight linings to concealed bathroom lighting details.

The bathrooms each have their own identity without feeling disconnected from the rest of the home. Rich green and orange tiles combine with limewashed timber in the ensuite, while the main bathroom layers matte and gloss finishes to create subtle depth and texture. Throughout the remainder of the house, thoughtful details continue to emerge, from the spotted gum stair screen and integrated handrail shelf to concealed air conditioning within the joinery. Upstairs, a flexible living space can easily transform into a guest bedroom when required.

Externally, the exposed timber interior is wrapped in a restrained palette of off-white Colorbond cladding, creating a crisp and contemporary form. At the centre of the home, a covered courtyard allows natural light to penetrate while providing a protected outdoor space that connects the surrounding rooms. Along the street frontage, the hardwood fencing was milled in our own workshop from timber salvaged during demolition, giving new life to material already connected to the site.

This project was designed by Alexander Symes Architect, engineered by Cantilever Engineers, with structural KLH Pacific timber supplied by Raico, and windows by BINQ. Projects of this complexity rely on genuine collaboration, and we’re incredibly grateful to have worked alongside a team of consultants, trades and suppliers who shared the same commitment to quality throughout the build.

As always, huge thanks to the trades who felt like an extension of our team – Tommy and the team from TCA Electrical, Dan the man from Dan Lamond Metal Roofing, Huey Makes for the exceptional joinery, and Eco Sparky for the complete solar package.