Above: Just inside the entrance, the stairs have a
dramatic sculptural quality. Each 160kg concrete
tread is post-tensioned into the concrete wall and
cantilevers out to give a floating effect – the wire
balustrading plays no structural part in the design.
Facing page,top: Kitchen, living and two dining
areas form one open-plan space, with large glass
panel doors opening up to provide a seamless
transition between inside and outside.
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The 38cm-thick walls, with vapour bar-
rier insulation, provide another concrete
benefit – acting as a heat sink and reducing
the need for artificial heating and cooling
For the structural column at the front
door, Cheng used a third technique. Con-
crete was poured on site into a polyester
tube, which was then pinched at various
points to create a smooth organic shape.
The second storey of the main house
is clad in contrasting reclaimed redwood
that had been felled over 100 years ago.
It’s topped by a butterfly roof concealing
the photovoltaic cells covering 60 per cent
of its surface.
The roof’s angles, pitches and pleats
collect rainwater, allowing for potential
water tank storage. But rainwater is also
channelled to form water features and to
interact with some of the concrete walls to
create ever-changing art installations.
So, at the front of the house, a copper
pipe extends over the walkway, spilling
out a stream of water from the garage roof
during rain showers.
Meanwhile, small pumps also direct