Architects Peter and Stephanie Lane knew they had found something special when they stumbled across their three-hectare Tintenbar property in the northern NSW hinterland near Byron Bay during a holiday in 2002.
For years it had just a shack on it, but the surrounding rainforest and cascading waterfall on the property appealed to their love of environment and sustainability.
As industrial architects and directors of Jackson Lane Architects, residential work isn't the couple's usual brief. However they relished the challenge of working to a smaller scale and integrating competing influences in their design for the new residence, completed in 2011.
They wanted the home to be sustainable and constructed with non-toxic materials but it also had to maximise the incredible outlook, capture the breezes and be infiltrated with the sound of the waterfall. They also wanted feng shui principles applied.
Peter says trying to achieve that was challenging and involved a lot of complex technical detail. However, he says that as his first residential design in more than 40 years as an architect, the project was also "very satisfying and the end result is a beautiful place to live".
Encased almost entirely in glass, the main axis of the house is an S-shaped, spine-like glass corridor with rooms running off it. The S-shape echoes the shape of the nearby creek.
The couple spend half their time in Melbourne and the other half at Tintenbar. Living between the two spots gives them the best of worlds. In Melbourne they enjoy the easy access they have to theatre and culture. Killen Falls provides a sanctuary.
The nature of their work allows them to live in two such diverse spots.
"Most of our work is overseas and can be done remotely," says Stephanie.
She says being at Tintenbar also gives her a sense of being at one with the environment, the property offering them the intimacy of the rainforest, birdlife and sounds of nature.
"It is all about balance for us – balance in the house and balance in our lifestyle."
Although the award-winning home will always hold a special place in their hearts, it has also triggered in them a desire for another residential project.
"It has been such a wonderful experience for us we want to do another one," Stephanie says.
"We love this area so much so we are looking for another site in northern NSW.
"We haven't found it yet but we will know it when we see it."
TINTENBAR, NSW 2478
38 KILLEN FALLS DRIVE
FOR SALE
PRICE GUIDE: $4 million
UNIQUE ESTATES (02) 6680 9888 0411 144877
5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 cars, 1 swimming pool
THE DUAL LIFESTYLERS
Peter and Stephanie Lane
TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW
"Architects never stop working and we are keen to do another house," Stephanie says. "We have stayed here for five years because we just love the area and we love the house but we want to do something different."
WHY WE LOVE IT HERE
"The rainforest escarpment gives it a sense of privacy and sanctuary," Stephanie says. "We have designed it to give a sense of being part of the environment. It is very peaceful."
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