Live Above The Clouds: Architect Escape In The Mountains

Creative Home Design

This imposing house was designed by well-known international architect Giovanni D’Ambrosio and is set in the popular winter skiing region of Australia in the State of Victoria’s mountain countryside near Mount Hotham.

To integrate the house with its surroundings the architect has used organic materials. Wood, stone, metal and glass are all combined together in the structure, construction and in the finishes. The smallish site is only 370 square meters with the house having a total floor area of 270 square meters. Construction was started in 2005 and was completed two years later in 2007.

House Shape

The shape of the house is designed to get the maximum benefit from all the seasons. Dubbed “Under The Moonlight” it allows the owners to be comfortable during both summer as well as winter.

Appreciation of the environment was paramount in the design and large pane glazing allows for viewing of the surrounding vistas from all rooms.

To quote the architect; “This is the idea [that] I wanted to base the project upon: treat interior and external spaces as if they were the same.”

Two Levels

He has divided the house into two levels; firstly the ground level where everyday living takes place where you have views of the exterior and gardens through large glazed panels that lead out onto an entertaining deck.

The second level has the bedrooms, the main master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and spa as well as another two separate bedrooms. Undercover parking has been built in so as to shelter the owners and visitors from the winter rain and snow.

The architect also states that care was taken during construction so as to have as little impact on the local environment as possible.

Under the Moonlight House | Giovanni d’Ambrosio – Archilovers.com

This is an excerpt from the Archilovers page (with edits):

The Project tries to integrate itself into the site through the use of materials that have been used before and that are part of the local historical background.

(The) House’s shape resembles typological archetypes used by countrymen and cowboys that lived in the area. Stone, wood, and metal are materials used for both structure and construction of the Project.

The House has been designed in order to comfort the seasonal stay, both during summer and winter, of inhabitants and to let them appreciate as much as possible the natural environment surrounding them. This has been done through the placement of many glazed frames that grant wider external views.

This is the idea Giovanni wanted to base the project upon treating the interior and external spaces as if they were the same [thing]. Furthermore, “I propose above mentioned house should be a comfortable summer house and not only a winter one.

The project is divided into two levels. On the ground-level everyday life takes place where it is possible to see the garden from a glazed frame that opens onto a deck.

In the ‘Under the Moonlight’ house there are two bedrooms, on the second floor, a master bedroom with a bathroom and spa. The house has a sheltered (from snow and rain during winter season) Parking.

The ‘Under the Moonlight’ House has been designed with care in order to prevent damage to local vegetation and trees. The roof is made out of insulated metal and has functionality in any climate. Its brownish colour matches well the chromatic shades of the surrounding Natural Reserve.