Barbara and John are a retired couple seeking a quieter life in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands. They hankered for a healthy home made from natural materials with room to pursue their creative outlets and to accommodate overnight guests. Oh, and did we mention a Japanese-inspired aesthetic?! Our design orients Barbara and John’s new home due north for maximum solar gain. A Northern sun room will allow sunlight into the house’s interior and onto the foliage of the plants inhabiting the feature indoor garden. Hempcrete walls will sequester carbon, facilitate natural ventilation and provide excellent insulation. The home therefore provides the couple with a sanctuary in which to shelter from the area’s hot, dry summers and cool, foggy winters.