A Meridian by one definition is one half of a great circle. And while the power of this home comes from the striking curves of its roof they are, at the same time, soft enough to be part of a great circle. Hence the inspiration for the name.

In designing this home we gave ourselves the challenge of combining passive solar design with free-form living areas - so much a signature of Rural Building Company homes - and then relating it to an urban block in Margaret River whilst ensuring that it can be turned on its axis to be built on a sprawling rural block.

In this suburban context we combined a garage and an entry foyer. We also demonstrated how the Meridian could fall with the topography of the land with its split level front entry.

The full length verandah sits below a series of windows running the length of the building which allow northern light to penetrate and warm the home in winter and exclude the summer sun while throwing light against the curve and into the building.

The verandah operates in the same way: the summer sun is excluded in this outside living space but it encourages winter sun, which even penetrates into the free-form living area in winter.

The minor bedrooms are designed so they get the evening cooling breezes. Cross ventilation and convection ensure that hot air can be expelled and that the heat in the floor from the winter sun warms the total space.

On the entry a timber screen baffles the view through to the free-form living area. The u-shaped kitchen sits at the end of this space and is appointed with the same standard of appliances and fit-out you will find in all Rural Building Company displays: Corian bench tops, downdraft exhaust fans, 5 burner gas hotplate, top flight Westinghouse oven with separate grill, Clarke underslung epicure sinks, appliance cupboards, large draws instead of cupboards and, of course, all designed around the ability of the chef to communicate with their guests – a design criteria that came from working with a celebrity chef. At the end of this space is a hearth and fireplace. As this is internal it helps to heat the walls and maximise its benefits.

The home theatre is isolated and large. Essential if one is watching a movie on a plasma screen and with an excellent sound system - the space needs to be isolated and provide the right relationships between the viewer and the screen.

The bedrooms are all of generous proportions and will easily contain double beds. Two ‘escape rooms’ have been provided, one the studio and one for the office, enabling the inhabitants of the for home to pursue other interests away from the free-form living area. The proportion to the master suite is enhanced by the high curved ceiling and the highlight window. The dressing room and ensuite are in proportion and relate very well.

With the wet areas we have used vitreous china basins and toilets, Caroma medina inset bath and taps that are above our standard specifications, as are many of the items included in this home. To find out what else we include, ask for a standard specification brochure.

While the home was designed for standard blocks, we have alternatives showing how it will best suit a sprawling rural block and can also be built with Skillion and pitched roofs.

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