Spreading its Wings
From Sanctuary issue 11. More articles like this
Sanctuary magazine issue 11 – Spreading its Wings – Maleny, QLD green home profile
Words Fiona negrin
Photography Christopher Frederick Jones
Excerpt: When Captain James Cook Came to the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 1770 he was awed by the dramatic volcanic crags that dominate the landscape. The Glasshouse Mountains are one of the region’s main drawcards, and the owners of this sustainable house in rural Maleny wake to views of them every day. “The house is high on the ridge, 500m above sea level, so the views are fantastic. You can see the Glasshouse Mountains, and on a clear day you can see 140km away to Brisbane,” says architect Dan Sparks, who is the son of the owners. Being high on a ridge is great for panoramic views but its downside is exposure to ferocious weather. “This place gets hammered by wind and rain,” says Dan. One of the briefs for the house, a renovation of an existing house, was to make outdoor areas liveable by protecting them from the elements.
