Canopy CLT House by Still Space Architecture: A Passive House Inspired By Nature
Tucked away in a quiet corner of suburban Putney, NSW, Canopy CLT House by Nina Still of Still Space Architecture is a careful response to a challenging site and an evolving climate. Surrounded by neighbouring homes and lacking a strong natural outlook, the site initially offered little more than a large existing Lillipilli tree—yet this single element became the design’s anchor. Rather than turning outward, the home folds in on itself, wrapping around a central courtyard and drawing focus to the tree’s calming presence. This inward orientation preserves privacy, tempers exposure, and creates a refuge defined by dappled light, layered gardens, and tactile materials.
Constructed from exposed Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and designed to certified passive house standards, the project exemplifies how prefabricated timber can support both environmental and spatial ambitions. With its efficient structural profile, natural thermal performance, and low material wastage, CLT enabled a compact yet generous building form. A ventilated cavity system, operable shading devices, and landscape-driven cooling strategies all contribute to year-round comfort. Internally, flexible sliding doors, modest private spaces, and a rooftop garden support dynamic family living—demonstrating how a contemporary suburban home can be quiet, efficient, and deeply connected to place.
photography by Brett Boardman, published with bowerbird
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How did the site’s unique conditions—particularly its exposure and proximity to neighbouring homes—shape the decision to design inward around a central courtyard and the existing Lillipilli tree?
The location is within a pretty non descript suburban context with alot of houses overlooking the site. Having the native tree on the site instantly creates a peaceful atmosphere and we were able to keep this large tree and use it as a focus of the design planning. Most rooms have views of the tree and surrounding gardens instead of focussing on the other houses.
Can you talk us through how Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) supported your sustainability goals, and what advantages it offered in designing a certified passive house in a suburban context like Putney?
The CLT was chosen for a few reasons, it provided good airtightness and thermal comfort, the material is very efficient structurally so we could have thin wall and floor profiles. My client was also very happy having exposed CLT as walls and ceilings so this meant less material wastage and the house now has a lovely aroma of fresh spruce when you open the front door.
The transition from public to private space is subtle yet intentional throughout the home. What strategies did you use—spatially and materially—to navigate this shift and protect the residents’ sense of retreat?
We use an entry courtyard and change in direction to start the gentle transition from the public street into the private domain, passing a trickling pond on the way. A central axis and view through the house opens when you enter, with private spaces spilling off from this. A change in level marks the transition to the living and kitchen areas. More private spaces are found on the upper floor .
The integration of gardens and the Lillipilli tree plays a significant role in the project. How did this ecological focus influence both the architectural form and the daily experience of the home?
The tree really grounds the house, and the house is deigned more like a courtyard around the tree canopy. The clients love the sculptural shadows cast from the tree branches, a constant reminder of the natural world and seasonal changes.
The design incorporates adaptive elements like ventilated cavities, movable panels, and shaded decks. How do these features help the home respond to a warming climate while maintaining comfort year-round?
The moving screens and louvres allow the clients to increase or decrease the sun and shade. So on a very hot day the house can be well shielded, reducing heat buildup to the facade and windows. As the house mainly faces west, summer overheating is an issue. Landscaping is also used to increase shading and reduce air temperature. The ventilated cavity cladding lets hot air escape efficiently so heat is less likely to transfer into the interior.
From a family living perspective, how did you approach the balance between flexible communal areas and private zones, particularly with the inclusion of a children’s wing and rooftop garden?
The house using sliding doors to close off some of the living spaces – so if there is a party going on or someone want to watch a loud movie the house can be divided up and equally opened up when desired. It gives a flexibility of use for the family. The children have their rooms to one side of the house with a shared bathroom so they can easily chat with each other. The children’s rooms are modest and this encourages use of the communal living and study areas. A study space and flexible music room overlook the level 1 roof garden providing a quieter place to focus.
