Planchonella House by Jesse Bennett. Note – original version of the Forres swivel barstool around the kitchen island is by Arik Levy for Bernhardt Design. Enquiries to KE-ZU. Photography by Sean Fennessy. Architect and builder Jesse Bennett designed Planchonella House with a simple idea in mind – to create joyful spaces, which will inspire and enrich daily life for himself and his family. Set in tropical North Queensland, the house embraces heritage rainforest surrounds and utilises unconventional passive design methods. The simplistic approach and use of LoFi technologies results in a raw and honest dwelling.The desire to live simply within the landscape formed the basis of the concept employed at Planchonella House. Perched on a hill surrounded by rainforest, a layout was developed that would enable maximum connection to the surroundings without obstruction. Minimal barriers were employed not only for reasons of capturing the landscape, framing views, transparency and connection, but also to assist in creating light-filled, well ventilated spaces. High concrete ceilings aid thermal design and create large generous internal volumes. The restrained, simple palette of materials applied throughout the house responds to the brief for “simple living”. One type of hardwood was applied to timber detailing throughout, adding warmth and practicality to the predominately concrete and glass structure. Preference was given to hand-crafted elements over off-the-shelf items, where furniture, fittings and fixtures were designed and fabricated in line with the overarching design philosophy, resulting in harmonious details.The ‘L’ shape planning arrangement wraps around the central courtyard space, forming a private master wing at one end, hearth at the centre, and more functional spaces down the alternative wing. There is an easy flow and a connection through all the spaces with the raw monolithic mass overhead, while maintaining mini-spaces within intimate and functional rooms that are adaptable and flexible. The arrangement allows flexibility for a growing family, promoting visual connection and activity through the house, whilst allowing privacy.Read on for a little Q&A with Jesse Bennet about further insights into this project. + What was your design inspiration and starting point for this project?The design is inspired by the surrounding world heritage rainforest and tropical climate. We wanted to create a dwelling that enabled the occupants to live simply in the landscape.+ Most challenging aspect?Building on an excessively steep site with terrible access was a huge challenge, as was the fact that we built the project ourselves on a relatively modest budget.+ What is your favourite part of your design?Favourite part is the cantilevered breakfast booth, it is a great spot to absorb the filtered morning sun light with a coffee. At the same time it’s a sensationally cosy corner to entertain friends and family for casual dinner and drinks. + What did you learn during the project?Detailed material characteristics and behaviours – through hand-crafting each item you learn not only the best way to handle and fabricate certain materials, but also a better knowledge of their potential and best suited application.+ Would you have done anything differently?We may have sub-contracted out more trades to get the project finished quicker, but it is hard to find workers with interest and the right skill-set to employ.+ Any interesting, funny, quirky facts you could tell us?We lived on-site with a camp shower and small camping stove for over 12 months during the build! Related post: Australian Interior Design Awards 2015. [Images courtesy of Jesse Bennett. Photography by Sean Fennessy.] Share the love:FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPinterest 22 Responses liad June 12, 2015 From where can I get the wallpaper or fabric with the trupical print behind the bad? Thanks!! Reply Rebecca Hayes July 10, 2015 Would love to know where the tropical wallpaper is from. It is stunning Reply liad July 10, 2015 Hi Rebecca, I’ve found it via google picture search. Here’s a link with all the information https://www.designersguild.com/uk/christian-lacroix/fabric/jardin-exochic-bougainvillier-fabric/p3062 Reply Rebecca Hayes July 10, 2015 Thank you so much. I love it. Reply Living simply – a case study | Silviu Tolu September 22, 2015 […] https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/jesse-bennett-planchonella-house/ Images courtesy of Jesse Bennett. Photography by Sean […] Reply 6 adult ways to decorate with pastel - Real Estate News December 1, 2015 […] Photo: Jesse Bennett […] Reply friday finds. | Emerald Acres Town Homes Blog January 9, 2016 […] has to be the loveliest powder room i’ve seen in a long […] Reply friday finds. | Alice George's Blog January 9, 2016 […] has to be the loveliest powder room i’ve seen in a long […] Reply mc January 9, 2016 any chance you can share the source for that gorgeous circular tile in the powder room? Reply Jen Pollard January 10, 2016 Wow. That bathtub and view is amazing. I would never leave. Also, loving the headboard in the master. I would wake up so happy each morning! Thanks for sharing! Reply Paula Gallo January 12, 2016 It’s a beautiful house but I wonder how many birds hit the glass walls, not knowing there is a hard (and deadly) surface there. Reply Interiéry, u kterých se vám roztluče srdce | Minty Finty January 12, 2016 […] Planchonella House […] Reply Planchonella House By Jesse Bennett – Viemode January 12, 2016 […] Source: yellowtrace […] Reply Ogola Nic February 5, 2016 It’s an outstanding house i would love love have it for a home. Reply Planchonella House - Lucky PonyLucky Pony March 29, 2016 […] is Planchonella House which is a beautiful glass home nestled amongst a rain forrest in Cairns. It belongs to architect […] Reply [email protected] May 9, 2016 Hi where can I source those beautiful circular ball room / shower tiles in the Planchonella House? I love them :) Reply [email protected] May 9, 2016 Bathroom tiles I ment Reply Greg Ismay September 8, 2016 Hi Vicky. I really liked them too so spent an hour tracking them down on line. They are White Dot tiles from Academy Tiles http://www.academytiles.com.au/asp/individual_tile.asp?keyword=dot&search=True&page=1&prodIDCheck=74974&resultNum=1 Reply Julie Suan January 11, 2017 Thanks for that info! So helpful! Searching from San Francisco Reply 17 Incredibly Cool Bathrooms for Every Style September 6, 2017 […] 17. Those floor to ceiling windows are my spirit animal! What about you? Via Yellowtrace. […] Reply 20 buenas ideas para decorar la pared de encima de la cama | Mil Ideas de Decoración October 4, 2017 […] Foto […] Reply Emily Eileen Micheli April 1, 2018 Where were the windows purchased from? Looking to build in the Daintree… ReplyLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ
liad June 12, 2015 From where can I get the wallpaper or fabric with the trupical print behind the bad? Thanks!! Reply
Rebecca Hayes July 10, 2015 Would love to know where the tropical wallpaper is from. It is stunning Reply
liad July 10, 2015 Hi Rebecca, I’ve found it via google picture search. Here’s a link with all the information https://www.designersguild.com/uk/christian-lacroix/fabric/jardin-exochic-bougainvillier-fabric/p3062 Reply
Living simply – a case study | Silviu Tolu September 22, 2015 […] https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/jesse-bennett-planchonella-house/ Images courtesy of Jesse Bennett. Photography by Sean […] Reply
6 adult ways to decorate with pastel - Real Estate News December 1, 2015 […] Photo: Jesse Bennett […] Reply
friday finds. | Emerald Acres Town Homes Blog January 9, 2016 […] has to be the loveliest powder room i’ve seen in a long […] Reply
friday finds. | Alice George's Blog January 9, 2016 […] has to be the loveliest powder room i’ve seen in a long […] Reply
mc January 9, 2016 any chance you can share the source for that gorgeous circular tile in the powder room? Reply
Jen Pollard January 10, 2016 Wow. That bathtub and view is amazing. I would never leave. Also, loving the headboard in the master. I would wake up so happy each morning! Thanks for sharing! Reply
Paula Gallo January 12, 2016 It’s a beautiful house but I wonder how many birds hit the glass walls, not knowing there is a hard (and deadly) surface there. Reply
Interiéry, u kterých se vám roztluče srdce | Minty Finty January 12, 2016 […] Planchonella House […] Reply
Planchonella House - Lucky PonyLucky Pony March 29, 2016 […] is Planchonella House which is a beautiful glass home nestled amongst a rain forrest in Cairns. It belongs to architect […] Reply
[email protected] May 9, 2016 Hi where can I source those beautiful circular ball room / shower tiles in the Planchonella House? I love them :) Reply
Greg Ismay September 8, 2016 Hi Vicky. I really liked them too so spent an hour tracking them down on line. They are White Dot tiles from Academy Tiles http://www.academytiles.com.au/asp/individual_tile.asp?keyword=dot&search=True&page=1&prodIDCheck=74974&resultNum=1 Reply
17 Incredibly Cool Bathrooms for Every Style September 6, 2017 […] 17. Those floor to ceiling windows are my spirit animal! What about you? Via Yellowtrace. […] Reply
20 buenas ideas para decorar la pared de encima de la cama | Mil Ideas de Decoración October 4, 2017 […] Foto […] Reply
Emily Eileen Micheli April 1, 2018 Where were the windows purchased from? Looking to build in the Daintree… Reply