When designing the Ridge Road Residence, architects, Studio Four had to incorporate two features into their project, that the single tree on the plot, a tea tree, be incorporated into the plan and the private and public spaces of the home be totally separate.
The steep slope of the site assisted in their design by the creation of natural levels and flow, the entrance being on the upper level along with the bedrooms and an open space on the lower level to accommodate the kitchen, living and dining rooms. In this way, the living quarters gained the advantage of a private terrace overlooking a golf course, protected from the harsh winds of the region and appearing to be a natural extension of the desert like surroundings.
The lone tea tree is visible through the dark reflective glass of the picture windows and has become a major feature of an otherwise simple black and white interior. The dark wood of renewable timber which constitutes the cladding of the structure and its low energy construction add to its discreet presence both in terms of the neighbourhood and the environment.
