Sustainable and soulful

There are very few residences that possess the innate ability to transport one from house to home.

Bruce and Deb Lynch have done just that in the most unlikely of places.

In an ordinary street, an atypical abode stands, setting nostalgia alight with salvaged materials and op-shop finds.

Its outside steeped with bricks made from sawdust and cement, while inside lies streamlined walls that light leads its dance across and warmth follows.

Four years ago when building ceased, the couple moved into their small but spacious two-bedroom, one-bathroom home.

From entrance — a recycled timber table-turned-door from Envisage Furniture, to exit — a backyard of native blooms and crunchy recycled gravel, each design piece is alive with character and stories of the past.

Recycled timbers and red gum accents on the kitchen bench and bathroom vanity are now not only a part of the home, but were once a part of the community.

“The window frame was made from timber that was in one of the original cooling stores in Ardmona Fruitworks,” Bruce said.

“And I made the dining table — that was from floorboards from the Katandra West Hall.”

Whimsy is not lost on these two, confirmed by a slew of Wonka-like inventions.

For example, a contraption of cot-framing masking as a clothesline can descend from the ceiling.

“Building our home worked brilliantly between the two of us because I’m the creative and visual, and Bruce is technical,” Deb said.

Every inch of their home has been subconsciously but meticulously crafted to show it’s them.

Bruce steered the ship in regard to the practicalities of it all, while Deb managed to incorporate a piece of themselves into every room, evident in her hand-woven ‘rags-to-riches rug’ a burst of colour at the centre of the living area.

But no doubt it’s the alfresco area where they have enjoyed their best work.

A string of lights above an op-shopped table with direct access through to the kitchen — it’s an entertainer’s dream.

When not hosting visitors, Bruce and Deb enjoy breakfast outside overlooking the native flora.

With no lawn to mow, the only watering needed is refilling water dishes, providing ammunition for the firing flight of honeyeater birds.

From inside to out, the space feels effortless, albeit it was anything but.

The Lynch’s dedicated 18 months of non-stop research to check off two essentials — energy efficient and manageable.

“We bought all the magazines we could find, googled things, got lots and lots of information about building materials and technologies,” Deb said.

Studying thermal mass and the sun’s pathway, Bruce and Deb used each principle to their advantage featured throughout via the concrete floors, large north-facing windows, fanlights over door frames, and good ceiling and wall insulation.

“It’s really paid off – our power bills for the whole year are between $100-$200.”

The water tanks burrowed out of sight from the entertaining area has been a proud cherry on top to the couple’s environmental efforts.

“We collect water that we use on our washing machine and for flushing toilets.

“All summer, it’s watered our vegie garden just from what we’ve collected on our roof."

Combining sustainability with personality, Bruce and Deb have created a home that is methodical, beautiful and unusual.

“You can fix things to make them more sustainable and more energy efficient, but really, if you’ve got the opportunity to build that gives you a whole open slather to do whatever you want,” Deb said.

“We had to buy a lot of new stuff to build this house, but we tried to avoid it to a point to keep it really sustainable.

“And remember, you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Do what you want and build the house that suits you.”