It’s through a road enveloped by the Earth’s oldest and most unspoilt rainforest, then via a discreet side door, that you enter one of Australia’s most remarkable houses.
“But in true, wet tropics, effectively jungle and a very corrosive environment, steel buildings don’t last long, and timber can rot.”Alkira is composed of concrete, steel and glass – its six massive wings protruding from the structure in a futuristic fashion and resting on deep foundations designed to reduce the impact of unpredictable tropical weather.
From the boardwalk, it’s a step onto polished concrete floors, the first view is of a pool open to the sky, placed centrally in a vast communal area and illuminated at dusk. Incredibly, the entire ground floor is naturally ventilated – no walls or windows, just glass barriers and balustrades – so that those in residence feel a palpable connection with the 135-million-year-old rainforest that surrounds Alkira.
Air-conditioned bedrooms, that feature floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors leading onto marble balconies with timber bench seating, are designed so that each has a particular character by virtue of its orientation.
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