Farnan Findlay Architects - Sustainable Green Architecture in Australia

We deliver our residential clients a high level of service befitting possibly the second biggest spend of their life.

Our philosophical approach leads to bespoke outcomes that are well connected to their context and function. We do not follow a house style or look.

Effective management of the project budget through reliable external reporting.

Using our company's 10 years of experience, we offer effective and proactive project management supported by strong communication and systems. We put you in charge of your budget through reliable external reporting early in the process. We want all of our clients to testify to effective management of budgetary information.

We believe that projects that do not embrace sustainable technology and methods are at risk of becoming obsolete in a world of increasing energy costs and a less predictable climate. This affects the value of your project.

We help our clients to reduce their reliance on external energy sources and reduce running costs.

Whilst the process of building is sometimes not all 'beer and skittles', we work hard to maintain confidence in the project with leadership and diplomacy skills to resolve the various interests and lead the project to a successful outcome.

BUILT

Bush Retreat Hunter Valley near Sydney

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Remoteness, having no services such as water or electricity and being in a level 3 bushfire area, were some of the challenges of this beautiful site.

Set in an ideal site in the Hunter Valley north of Sydney, this bush retreat is self sufficient, being equipped with solar panels and wind generation. The project has literally become a laboratory of ideas, from the wind generator to the LED lighting inside the house

The client also demanded that the approach not be an exercise in reductionism. There is a dishwasher, pool and proper flushing toilets yet the house is comfortable all year without air conditioning

The house quite simply consists of a main anchor wall following the site contours, canted steel columns and the containers for the living spaces. This is all protected by two separate double-leaf roofs that 'float' over the living areas and the site, offering generous protection from the elements in a simple double-gesture

The living and sleeping wings of the house are separated by a covered outdoor area compelling you to appreciate the elements in a form of 'sophisticated camping

The linearity of the house reinforces the viewpoints and the experience of the site.

Photos: Brett Boardman

Beach House Port Fairy

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One of several remote projects for our office, this project was designed as a beach house for Melbourne based clients.

Nestled in the tea-tree covered sand dunes of Victoria's remote ship-wreck coast, it responds to privacy and views using 'outdoor rooms' with partial walls to selectively include desirable aspects and exclude others, such as prevailing winds. It is an example of how form and function can meet to provide an environment that is both private and uplifting to live in.

The house provides numerous different living opportunities both indoor and outdoor for various weather conditions or functions. The structure nurtures by wrapping itself around the best aspects, turning its back on the worst.

We are passionate about the idea of a house inhabiting its location and function. We abhor the standardised and mostly inadequate suburban villa with its extensive lawns and mediocre symbolism. This house responds with a more intimate understanding of its context.

Being sited 50m from water's edge, the context is idyllic. A 360 degree rooftop observation deck affords the owner's opportunity to survey the coastline and township.

Beach House 2 Port Fairy

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Nestled among the tea-trees to take advantage of open bay views, this house is split into 2 living zones - the PM 'after-dark' and the AM 'daylight' zone.

The idea of 'public and private' division of spaces drives the form of this project, manifesting in a 2-part form when read externally.

Less than 50m from the water, this house is also oriented around the competing interests of solar access on one side and the ocean views on the other. Framing ideal views and excluding neighbouring dwellings has been an important aim in the design of external openings in order to give the owners sanctuary.

The reading of two external forms continues on the inside where the external materials are also read in the internal 'street' so that you are aware of moving from one form to another.

Built with durable materials that will fade to grey when aged, the house will gradually blend in to the natural tea-tree backdrop and become a part of its landscape.

Beach HouseTorquay

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The original c1950 fibro structure with its light, airy quality was retained and a contemporary addition of similar size was added, shifting the living focus and subtly re-orienting and expanding the living opportunities.

We added a contemporary Spotted Gum clad addition separated by a bridging element. The upper level of the additions has a stylistic dialogue with the original house, whilst the ground floor wraps itself around a wind-protected and sunny deck.

The upper level bedroom-hideaway achieved expansive views of the ocean.

The construction is reverse brick veneer. It has greater thermal performance than conventional brick veneer or double brick and gives the lightweight structure some valuable thermal mass.

Greater connection with the human spirit came out of intimate proportions combined with generous viewing opportunities whether they be into the garden or over the ocean.

Whilst this project is located some 1000km from our office, we provided generous documentation to ensure that site assistance was minimised.

Photos: John Farnan

Private House Sydney

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An expansive and highly crafted recycled timber form with subtle Japanese influences was added to the house. Timber structural elements are expressed internally adding drama and warmth to the double height living spaces.

We sought to maintain the integrity and best features of the original Californian Bungalow and add a clearly differentiated and contemporary element to the rear. Proportion, scale and form are the languages of stylistic dialogue that the new additions have with the old.

We inserted a narrow and dramatic bridge between the two forms. This bridge celebrates the threshold between old and new and provides opportunities for planting and water tanks.

The external materials included brick, shingle tile and recycled blue-gum cladding finished in a lambswool-derived sealant. Internally, the house blends rustic materials such as recycled hardwood framing and rusty slate tiles with clean-lined white lacquer and American Oak veneer.

The additions accentuate scale internally and focus views and living areas so as to avoid privacy concerns whilst admitting the best of the surrounding environment.

Private House Melbourne

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Our brief was to create a simple cost effective addition to give this family a contemporary and spacious aspect to their double fronted Melbournian.

Our response was a traditional form with a twist - uneven pitch and eaves line gives the form a subtle edge. Using similar materials, the new form may appear to be part of the original at first glance only. This all conceals a generous cathedral ceiling internally.

The negative spaces in the landscape created by the additions become deliberate outdoor living zones to pick up sun and garden views.

The shading treatment follows our preference to avoid an additive approach to sun shading. This lends the structure a greater sense of solidity and form.

This project is one of a handful completed successfully without any project supervision from us due to its remote location.

Terrace House Sydney

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The materials we employed in the living area include a recycled tallowwood floor, exposed roof beams and a face block work wall. These elements lend the space a level of warmth and texture. This gets away from the what may otherwise end up as a bland 'plasterboard box'

The upstairs bedroom is accessed via a 'secret' stair that presents as just another joinery door. High quality joinery makes the most of storage opportunities and increases the functionality of the house - a critical point for a small space.

One of the greatest challenges when dealing with a small space is reducing visual complexity and clutter which can reduce stress.

LABORATORY

Private House Dover Heights

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Taking advantage of knockout views over Bondi and the Pacific Ocean and Sydney city, this project capitalises on the value of the site

The project, called 3zeroE house is designed to have a net zero energy consumption by generating power and keeping consumption extremely low

In planning approval

Farmhouse Chichester

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A sustainably designed house on a working farm in a remote Hunter Valley location.

Conceived as a series of pavilions, around the idea of a French 'manoir' the spaces in-between are vast and sheltered thereby framing the landscape.

Significant consideration has been given to aspects such as bushfire protection, water handling, energy consumption and thermal comfort due to the location and remoteness of the site.

Thorough documentation has been provided to enable the local builder to work remotely.

Under construction.

Weekender Blue Mountains

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A modestly proportioned cool climate hideaway.

This project was designed around a small brief for a couple looking for a new weekend hideaway for long weekends around an open fire.

The expansive double-fold roof is intended to be a distinctive and sculptural swooping down low towards the north and finishing at high level to the south, overlooking a golf course.

Spatially the house is intimate and cosy, with the highest standards of thermal insulation and heating systems employed to keep the environment comfortable year-round.

Unbuilt.

Private House Point Piper

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Lending order and functionality to a 40's mansion.

Conceived to rectify a disastrously complex and separate series of spaces beneath a large mansion, we demolished a series of later additions and gave the house a new 'plinth'.

From this plinth, we made the most of views over Sydney harbor as well as improving the relationship of the internal rooms and the connection with the harbour beach.

Has planning approval.

Warehouse Residence Chippendale

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A rooftop extension as a zinc sculpture for artists.

Adding a parent's retreat to the roof of a warehouse in Chippendale, we designed something that could be read as a roof rather than another level.

A level of sculptural involvement was considered necessary both internally and externally. It also needed to afford a level of light unavailable elsewhere in the warehouse, yet provide the level of privacy that the client required.

Unbuilt.

Pavilion style Coast House

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Pavilion-style Coast House.

Set on a semi-rural sub division on the far north coast, this house has been designed for a young family.

The house involves the site and creates spaces in-between and adjacent to its form to offer as many outdoor living options as possible.

Utilising simple forms, we carved out the openings and recesses giving the illusion that the fabric of the building is more 'massive' than in reality.

In planning.