With a monochrome exterior, the Federal House sits like a void in the Byron Bay hinterland of Australia. The two-story residence is dressed in black from head to toe, casting a geometric shadow on the verdant landscape. Its timber slat upper level rests on a concrete pedestal partially submerged in the sloping plot. Living spaces float above the ground where rooms are clad in warm wood and washed in natural light from the openings of the exterior battens. Although the structure is a contrast to its lush surroundings, living spaces are deeply connected to nature. The interior welcomes in the greenery through floor-to-ceiling windows, while a central fern garden brings an organic presence to the heart of the home. In the volume below, a swimming pool extends across the level and ends at an opening that frames in views of the rolling treetops.
