When working with a steep block there are two schools of thought – fight with the land, scar it with deep site cuts and allow for expensive retaining walls, or work with the slope using it to advantage, and to the overall benefit of the home design.

Looking at a recent project in Jamberoo on the South Coast of New South Wales, built by Chris Evans Constructions and conceptualised by Nadine K Design, it’s clear that principal Nadine Ryan has taken the latter approach, working closely with clients Brad and Karen to design a generously proportioned home that still manages to meld with the hillside.

“We wanted low standout because the block has a lovely rural outlook – one of our main goals was to have the home blend into the landscape rather than overpower it,” Nadine explained.

“As well as opting for a more subtle split-level design, cladding the home with LYSAGHT ENSEAM® in the dark Monument® colour helped anchor the home, allowing it to complement the surrounding farmlands.”

Nadine said that ENSEAM® also assisted in meeting other areas of the design brief, both aesthetically and through its impressive functionality.

“ENSEAM® is characterised by its generous flat pans and bold vertical ribs, and this worked extremely well with the dimension of our 882m² corner block,” she said.

“The site had considerable frontage to the West, and the vertical ribs helped offset the width of the home, bringing balance to the front façade.”

This rationale was replicated by choosing dark powder coated aluminium battens installed vertically as balustrading for the home’s verandah, as well as in the downstairs outside seating area, where it’s been applied in a grand piano-shaped pattern that acts as privacy screening.

Nadine specifies LYSAGHT® steel wall and roof cladding extensively in her designs and when she broached the idea using ENSEAM® to her clients, her choice was enthusiastically received.

“Although now retired, Brad had enjoyed a long career in the steel industry. He’s worked at Whyalla steelworks, in The Illawarra, and he also had a stint in New Zealand before finishing at Port Kembla. Wife Karen thought the idea of a home that used steel extensively throughout, was a fitting nod to her husband’s long involvement in steelmaking.”

Along with the positive sentimental and visual aspects of choosing ENSEAM®, the low maintenance qualities that the product delivers, further increased its appeal according to Nadine.

“As Brad and Karen are mature couple in retirement, I wanted to make sure that all materials used in the build were low maintenance, allowing them to enjoy their hobbies rather than spending excessive time in the upkeep of their home,” she said.

“The durability of ENSEAM® is well known, it continues to look great year after year with only an occasional hose down needed – the rain takes care of most of it. Additionally, the other materials we chose including the balustrade, parapet over the verandah, timber look aluminium garage doors and balcony ceiling, also helped meet this brief.

“Gabion basket stone retaining walls have also been used at the property because of their durability, while adding visual interest and drawing in some natural elements to boost the overall look.”

The home’s low maintenance qualities are complemented by a forward-thinking design that will allow Brad and Karen to enjoy living in their dream home well into their golden years. Part of this longer-term planning provided a side garage with one step entry to the home from the southern part of the site.

The southerly façade also gives the home somewhat of a styling anomaly in what is for the most part a considered angular design. An unexpected but stunning curved window features prominently here, demonstrating that ENSEAM® is equally at home helping to frame more rounded shapes.

Nadine explains the rational for the feature window.

“The soft radius of the curved window is hugged by the vertical rectangular form of the ENSEAM®,” she said.

“This is the window for the study and home office, so we wanted to make it a playful and creative space and give it a unique attribute.

“Often when you’re inside the home you can lose sight of the exterior features. Looking out of this ‘Jetsons’ window, you get a beautiful outlook onto the rolling hills – it looks amazing while also being a gentle reminder of the home’s exterior features.

“The window also helps to soften some of the home’s other design aspects – the verandah and parapet are quite bold, so the rounded window again helps with the balance of the home.”