Baldwin O'Bryan Architects

King Island Tasmania

Ecological. Elegant. Earth‑Embedded Homes.

King Island Underground House | Baldwin O’Bryan Architects
Tasmania · Earth-Sheltered Residence

House on King Island

An ocean-facing, earth-bermed home shaped to the winds of Bass Strait. Concrete vaults, deep overhangs and a living roof deliver exceptional thermal stability and resilience to bushfire and storms — hallmarks of Baldwin O’Bryan Architects’ underground house approach.

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King Island earth-sheltered residence nestled in coastal landscape
Site-hugging form with planted roof and protective earth berms.
Construction phase showing arched concrete vault
Arched concrete vault during construction — the home’s resilient shell.
Entry court and glazed façade protected by berms
Sheltered entry court and north-facing glazing tucked behind berms.
Interior timber lining and arched concrete ceiling
Warm timber linings soften the robust concrete shell.
Skylight brings daylight through green roof
High-performance skylights bring cool daylight deep into plan.
Wide view — green roof blending with dunes
Green roof blends the home into the dune profile.

Design intent

Life on King Island means living with weather. The house is formed by a sequence of reinforced concrete vaults set into the lee of a dune, then bermed with local sand and planted to recreate the site’s heath. Openings are placed for sun, view and shelter; services and storage are buried into the berm to present the smallest possible profile to prevailing winds.

Fire & Storm ReadyConcrete shell, non-combustible cladding, ember-proof openings, and protected egress.
Low-Energy ComfortEarth coupling and cross-ventilation reduce heating/cooling demand dramatically.
Low MaintenanceDurable finishes and a landscape that thrives on coastal conditions.

Passive performance

  • Earth mass dampens temperature swings; stable internal conditions year-round.
  • North-oriented glazing with deep overhangs for winter sun, summer shade.
  • Night-purge ventilation through secure, louvred high/low openings.
  • Double-glazed, thermally broken frames; airtight detailing; targeted insulation to cut heat loss.

Structure & materials

  • Reinforced concrete arches (primary) with shotcrete backing and waterproofing membrane.
  • Green roof build-up with drainage, root barrier and low-water native planting.
  • Internal timber linings and polished concrete floors for tactile warmth and thermal mass.
  • External components in marine-grade, non-combustible materials for coastal durability.
Why underground? Earth-sheltering transforms extreme climates into gentle ones. On exposed coastlines like King Island, the dune becomes both windbreak and thermal battery.

Planning & layout

A central living vault anchors the plan with kitchen and dining under the crown of the arch. Bedrooms nestle to the east and west, each with framed views across heath and ocean. A sheltered entry court acts as an outdoor room, protected by berms and a deep eave — perfect for salt-spray days.

FAQs

How does an earth-sheltered house perform in coastal storms?

The aerodynamic bermed form sheds wind, while the concrete shell and green roof resist uplift and debris. Services are protected within the berm.

Is it bushfire resilient?

Yes. Non-combustible construction, limited exposed façades, ember-guarded vents and protected egress paths are integral to the design approach.

What about natural light?

North glazing, high-level light scoops and skylights provide balanced daylight; overhangs and glazing specs control heat gain.

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