Category:
Phoenix House / HGA.Studio
🏡 Project Overview
Architect: HGA.Studio
Lead Architect: Harley Graham
Location: Byron Bay, Australia
Project Area: 140 m²
Completion Year: 2020
Photography: Andy MacPherson
Builder: Morada Build
Landscape Architecture: Fig Landscapes
Structural Engineering: Phill Wallace Consulting Engineers
🧭 Design Concept
Phoenix House is a deeply personal project, stemming from the restoration of an early 1900s Queenslander home originally purchased in Brisbane. After enduring severe weather damage while stored near Ballina, the house was relocated to Byron Bay. The renovation process became a metaphorical 'Phoenix moment' for the architect, symbolizing personal renewal and resilience.
The design approach treated the house as a 'remix album,' stripping it down to its core, cataloging salvageable elements, and reassembling them in a sustainable and innovative manner. Reclaimed materials, such as old casement windows repurposed as kitchen splashbacks and rich teak decking used on bedroom walls, were creatively integrated into the new design.
ArchDaily
🌿 Integration with Nature
Situated in Byron's historic precinct, the site faces sports fields to the north, with native vegetation and the bay beyond. The house is elevated 1600mm above ground level, accommodating storage for bicycles, surfboards, and sustainability systems like water tanks, solar batteries, and heat pumps. This elevation, combined with broad timber steps, transforms the front deck into a 'stage' overlooking the park, fostering a strong connection between the home and the community.
🏗️ Architectural Features
Material Palette: The house features a restrained material palette, emphasizing natural textures and finishes.
Spatial Layout: Despite its modest 140 m² footprint, the design achieves a sense of spaciousness through thoughtful planning and the inclusion of a striking skylight that anchors the living area.
Indoor-Outdoor Connection: A 3x3 m sliding door frames views of the adjacent park, enhancing the openness of the living spaces and blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Additional Studio: Adjacent to the main house, a 45 m² studio with soaring 4 m ceilings serves as a prototype for future 'tiny homes,' demonstrating how compact spaces can feel expansive and functional.
🌱 Sustainability and Heritage
Phoenix House embodies a balance between Byron Bay's heritage and its evolving lifestyle. By honoring the past through the reuse of materials and thoughtful design, the project offers a model for sensitive, sustainable development in Australia's coastal towns facing increasing environmental pressures.