Rammed Earth Glenhope House is a Sustainable Vacation Retreat Outside of Melbourne

The <a href="http://www.joharchitects.com.au/gallery/residential/glenhope/" target="_blank">Glenhope House</a> outside of Melbourne is a sustainable family vacation home that can efficiently accommodate a larger group or be zoned for just two. Designed by Australian practice, <a href="http://www.joharchitects.com.au/" target="_blank">JOH Architects</a>, the four bedroom house is situated in a panoramic landscape and takes in views from all four sides. A rammed earth wall serves as the backbone for the house and two large rainwater cisterns store water for use in the house. Solar passive design minimizes energy use and natural materials are used throughout.

Three wings form the Glenhope House - a master living suite, bedrooms and the living/dining/kitchen area.

The two private wings wrap around a circular driveway with two shaded parking spaces. The entry sits in the middle of the driveway with a mudroom and the washroom situated on either side.

From here you enter a long gallery or hallway that access each of the three wings.

To the west is a wing with three bedrooms and a bathroom, while to the east is the master suite with a study, master bedroom and bathroom.

Next to the gallery is a long <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rammed_earth" target="_blank">rammed earth</a> wall that serves as the backbone to the public areas.

When the entire family is in attendance, all three wings are opened and used, but if there are only a couple people, the bedroom wing is closed off.

This public space is covered with a large timber trussed roof covered in corrugated metal, which provides ample shade to the space below.

Facing north, the living, kitchen, dining and decks take in sun and are filled with natural daylight.

The exterior of the home is clad with stone, natural timber cladding and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement_board" target="_blank">cement board</a>, which are all low maintenance, durable and long lasting.

Finally, rainwater is collected from the roofs and stored in two large cisterns at the end of the bedroom wings and used in the house.