Nestled in the picturesque Blue Mountains near Sydney is James Stockwell’s Leura House, winner of the 2008 Wilkinson Award – the Australian Institute of Architects New South Wales’ highest accolade for a residential project. Inspired by Japanese design methods and informed by warm California modernism, this sleek dwelling embodies a new and decidedly Australian brand of contemporary sustainable architecture, marking Stockwell as one of the country’s top young architects.

Drawing upon Japanese architect Takamasa Yoshizaka’s method of ‘discontinuous unity’ (or the fine art of incomplete space) Stockwell creates open-ended spaces without defined thresholds, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor. Walls aren’t there to enclose, but rather to cause pause as one journeys through the space.

Besides being drop dead gorgeous, Leura House is also deeply sustainable. Rammed earth walls made from crushed local sandstone with cement, iron stone and quartz provide excellent insulation. Simple passive methods that warm and cool the house are backed up by a hydroponic heating and cooling system. The house even produces its own power and water. Having honed his design skills with Peter Stutchbury, Stockwell has been involved with several award-winning projects, but Leura House gives him his first prize for his own practice. We’re excited to see what comes next.
via Haily Zaki