Branching out

Named after the magnificent, grand olive tree that frames it, this architecturally designed home shows off the power of smart, sustainable design in a small space.

When Jo Bastian of Bastian Architecture purchased a home in Stockton and subdivided the block, people were surprised she only allocated just over 200 square metres for her new build.

“It was amazing how many people didn’t realise you could fit a house on the block,” she said.

“The block is 215 square metres and the house is only 120 square metres so to put that in context, it’s half the size of an average new home on a block half the size of an average block.

“It’s definitely the most interesting thing for me because it’s sort of a precedent to show that we can design well on small blocks”.

Jo designed the home around the existing native trees on the block including a flowering gum, lilly pilly, melaleuca trees and of course the olive tree.

The enormous 50 year old olive tree looks spectacular against the deep red rusty colour of the home. It also shades the raised Silvertop Ash Timber deck that looks west to the laneway and connects the home’s living and dining rooms.

“By putting our primary street frontage on the laneway we have that real community engagement,” Jo said.

Both the living and dining rooms can open up completely, making the deck a third living space, perfect for the warmer months. The home, which is just a few minutes walk to the beach, is designed for coastal living.

“We have a hot and cold outdoor shower so we can come from the beach, walk down the side path, have a shower, hang our wetsuits and our towels then go straight through to the laundry.”

The interior of the home is alive with warm plywood and a blue, red and terracotta colour palette. “I really like houses to have their own personality,” Jo smiled.

Read the full story in our Summer Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story by Nathalie Craig