The bathroom's material palette, wall tiles included, reflects and connects with the lush surrounding environment.

Green at heart

Forming part of Australia's first 'Active Home', this nature-toned bathroom merges green energy efficiency with other environmental sensibilities, recycled elements included – one of three similar upstairs bathing spaces

Green at heart

Forming part of Australia's first 'Active Home', this nature-toned bathroom merges green energy efficiency with other environmental sensibilities, recycled elements included – one of three similar upstairs bathing spaces

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Designed by: Clinton Cole, CplusC Architects + Builders

Photography by: RenataDominik, Michael Lassman

The bathrooms in this home act as a microcosm of the project’s broader ‘rainforest creek’ concept.

Located on the upper level, the three ensuite bathrooms are designed as permeable sanctuaries that ensure the daily ritual of bathing is immersed in natural light and fresh airflow.

The material palette intentionally reflects the surrounding environment.

A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the central swimming pool, while their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the overhead canopy.

Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood. A wall-hung vanity is a feature.
Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood.

This theme is further articulated in the shower screens, where irregular cut-outs serve as shelves that reference the hit-and-miss filtered light patterns found in the home’s timber cabinetry.

Cored lava lighting and recycled hardwood detailing – repurposed from locally demolished inter-war homes – ground the spaces in a tactile, earthy aesthetic.

The bathrooms are vital to the home’s status as Australia’s first Active House.

All fixtures are supplied by a 15-kilolitre underground rainwater harvesting tank, achieving total water independence.

Furthermore, an integrated grey water system captures and filters all discharge from showers and basins to irrigate the native coastal landscape, closing the resource loop.

Recycled wood was employed for the custom cabinetry and shelving.
Recycled wood was employed for the custom cabinetry and shelving.

Thermal comfort is maintained through a solar-powered hydronic heating system integrated into the slab, providing gentle warmth without energy-intensive mechanical cooling.

Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood.

This rigorous approach contributed to an extraordinary Active House performance score of 1.64, demonstrating that true luxury in our climate stems from a restorative, regenerative relationship with nature.

Features of interest

  • Water is supplied from a 15kL rainwater harvesting system with underground storage tank
  • Grey water system captures and filters water from showers, baths and wash basins to irrigate lawn and gardens
  • A heat pump provides hot water
A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the home's central swimming pool – their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the environment's overhead canopy.
A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the home’s central swimming pool – their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the environment’s overhead canopy.

Credit List

Architect
Clinton Cole, CplusC Architects + Builders
Vanity cabinetry and top
Recycled hardwood
Basin/bath
Apaiser
Taps
Brodware
Shower fittings
Candana
Wallcoverings
Classic Ceramics – vertical subway
Hot water systems
Stiebel Eltron
Toilet
Caroma
Lighting
Havit, Aqualux, SAL
Flooring
Square tiles
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Runner-Up

The bathrooms in this home act as a microcosm of the project’s broader ‘rainforest creek’ concept.

Located on the upper level, the three ensuite bathrooms are designed as permeable sanctuaries that ensure the daily ritual of bathing is immersed in natural light and fresh airflow.

The material palette intentionally reflects the surrounding environment.

A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the central swimming pool, while their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the overhead canopy.

Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood. A wall-hung vanity is a feature.
Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood.

This theme is further articulated in the shower screens, where irregular cut-outs serve as shelves that reference the hit-and-miss filtered light patterns found in the home’s timber cabinetry.

Cored lava lighting and recycled hardwood detailing – repurposed from locally demolished inter-war homes – ground the spaces in a tactile, earthy aesthetic.

The bathrooms are vital to the home’s status as Australia’s first Active House.

All fixtures are supplied by a 15-kilolitre underground rainwater harvesting tank, achieving total water independence.

Furthermore, an integrated grey water system captures and filters all discharge from showers and basins to irrigate the native coastal landscape, closing the resource loop.

Recycled wood was employed for the custom cabinetry and shelving.
Recycled wood was employed for the custom cabinetry and shelving.

Thermal comfort is maintained through a solar-powered hydronic heating system integrated into the slab, providing gentle warmth without energy-intensive mechanical cooling.

Prioritising occupant health, the design utilises strictly non-toxic finishes, low-VOC materials, and low-formaldehyde plywood.

This rigorous approach contributed to an extraordinary Active House performance score of 1.64, demonstrating that true luxury in our climate stems from a restorative, regenerative relationship with nature.

Features of interest

  • Water is supplied from a 15kL rainwater harvesting system with underground storage tank
  • Grey water system captures and filters water from showers, baths and wash basins to irrigate lawn and gardens
  • A heat pump provides hot water
A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the home's central swimming pool – their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the environment's overhead canopy.
A combination of matt and gloss tiles mimic the reflectivity of the home’s central swimming pool – their arrangement echoes the dappled light and shade created by the environment’s overhead canopy.

[clean_tags]

Credit List

Architect
Clinton Cole, CplusC Architects + Builders
Vanity cabinetry and top
Recycled hardwood
Basin/bath
Apaiser
Taps
Brodware
Shower fittings
Candana
Wallcoverings
Classic Ceramics – vertical subway
Hot water systems
Stiebel Eltron
Toilet
Caroma
Lighting
Havit, Aqualux, SAL
Flooring
Square tiles
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Runner-Up

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