Sanctuary House By JAM Architects
The Sanctuary House is a single storey residence composed of three pavilions arranged around a central courtyard - a private sanctuary at the heart of the home.
The Sanctuary House design is suited to urban, coastal or regional settings. Intended to maximise the potential of a standard 16x40m block, it can be adapted to the context with a simple change of materials or orientation. It also has the flexibility to be adapted to specific block dimensions.
The contemporary design employs clean lines and classic forms. The assembly of these forms, the regularly proportioned framed elements, the low-pitched roof and considered details all contribute to a modern aesthetic.
The layout consists of three distinct yet connected pavilions, each serving a different purpose:
Front Pavilion – Master suite and garage
Middle Pavilion – Expansive open-plan living areas
Rear Pavilion – Children’s bedrooms and secondary living spaces
Designed for both connection and privacy, this layout offers the versatility to open or close off spaces as needed.
The middle pavilion is the home’s focal point, with expansive windows opening up to light and landscape in all directions. The integration of large sliding doors enhances the flow between the living spaces and the courtyard while optimising the light and maintaining privacy.
Achieving this level of balance between light and privacy in a suburban setting is challenging. The carefully considered design features of the Sanctuary House successfully achieve this balance.
“Our work at JAM is rooted in legibility - the classical architectural composition of grids and scale, guided by mathematical principles.
For the Sanctuary House, the design was distilled into clearly defined pavilions. Each element is legible, organised and connected.
This approach brings clarity, form and strategy for an entirely different living experience.”
Materiality & Architectural Detailing
The Sanctuary House embraces a rich, tactile material palette, drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape.
The home is defined by grounded masonry and warm timber elements, with visually striking brickwork details that introduce depth and texture.
The brickwork incorporates curved walls, interspersed with ‘hit and miss’ staggered bricks. In the courtyard, these curves serve as elegant boundary points for the home’s living spaces.
Inside, carefully curated finishes elevate the home’s aesthetic and functionality: The living space features a timber lined ceiling that provides texture, ambience and warmth. The timber also improves acoustics, creating a pleasant resonance.
“My favourite part of this design? The courtyard. The typical suburban house features the living spaces at the back...this design mirrors this convention.
By orienting the courtyard in the centre of the block, all spaces look into it. Its capacity is so flexible - we’ve shown it one way, for entertaining. But it could also be an amazing garden.”
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SANCTUARY HOUSEIron Ash timber cladding
Neolith surfaces throughout
Kado Lussi stone bath and basins
Hurford Blackbutt engineered flooring
Premium Swiss appliances from Vzug
Thermostat controlled zones
Clean touch cabinetry finishes
Binq timber windows & doors
Krause Bricks
3.2m feature ceilings
Open plan, modern kitchen, living & dining
Separate second living room
Master with walk in ‘his & hers’ dressing room and ensuite
BIR cabinetry to all bedrooms
Extensive double glazing throughout
Formal guest powder room
Large laundry with external access
Oversized double garage with workshop/storage room
For more information, see our Supplier page.