jesse bennett elevates planchonella house within the australian rainforest

jesse bennett elevates planchonella house within the australian rainforest
photography by sean fennessy

designed by the owner of the property jesse bennett, ‘planchonella house’ in north queensland, australia subtly emerges from its lush and tropical setting. intrinsically connected to its leafy surroundings, the organic design features a curvilinear, flat concrete roof and base with minimalistic columns which support the glass-fronted façade. using simple and honest techniques in construction, the wings on each side of the property float into the rainforest, meanwhile the large flat roof serves as a canopy for the balconies below.

the wings on each side seemingly float towards the trees of the rainforest

internally, the décor by the architect’s wife anne-marie campagnolo instills a refined and retro aesthetic. tropical prints, bespoke furniture along with timber detailing enhances the sense of craftsmanship displayed throughout. the organization of the plan wraps around a core courtyard area. minimizing the use of partitions and columns, this allows for unobstructed views and further strengthening the connection with the outdoors. ventilated by passive cooling, the large and airy rooms are naturally lit by the floor-to-ceiling windows which overlook the tree canopies.  

a retro aesthetic has been used within the interiors

all round view of the surroundings

the communal space opens up to a balcony which is shaded by the overhang of the concrete roof

timber fittings and bespoke furniture has been installed

the house embraces the heritage rainforest surrounds and utilizes experimental passive design methods

the bookshelf opens up to a bedroom

the interiors wrap around a central courtyard

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