Queanbeyan House
An earth-sheltered residence by Baldwin O’Bryan Architects. Embedded in the slope, the home leverages thermal mass, landscape cover and robust detailing for comfort, bushfire resilience and low visual impact.
- Underground concrete shell for BAL resilience and year-round thermal stability.
- Green roof and earth berms integrate the home seamlessly into the landscape.
- Daylight at key openings keeps interiors cool, protected and quiet.
- Durable, low-maintenance materials fit Australia’s demanding climate.
Design & Performance
The house uses the earth as a high-performance envelope. Concrete vaults provide structure and thermal mass, while a planted roof and berms reduce heat gain and blend the home into the hillside. Openings are carefully oriented to draw light deep into the plan, maintaining comfortable internal temperatures and acoustic calm.
Detailing emphasizes durability: non-combustible materials, shielded thresholds and protected outdoor rooms support year-round living with minimal maintenance. The result is a low-profile, landscape-first home with exceptional comfort and resilience.