Swift Parrot House
The Swift Parrot house is designed as a single-storey 135m2 family home.
Initially designed for a the common east-west urban block, the house is only 9.5m wide and can hug the the boundary to the south, opening up the northern façade as a comfortable outdoor zone. The opposing skillion roofs create a form which echoes the swift parrot in flight, opening up our façade to the northern sun.
The floorplan includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a powder room and study. Clever joinery solutions turn the hallway into a functional space, featuring the mud-room, storage, euro- style laundry, MHRV cupboard and ending in a study. Kitchen, living and dining spans the northern façade, taking advantage of the passive solar gains from the high-performing and adequately shaded windows. 2 bedrooms and a master suite line the south of the building.
What’s included in your free download:
Key visuals and the floor plan layout
A quick overview of the design thinking behind the Possum House
Ideal site conditions and project types it suits
What’s in a name?
Ready to go deeper?
Take the next step with a Design Drawing Package, created to help you (and your builder) explore how the Possum House could work on your specific site — without committing to full documentation just yet.
What’s included:
Exterior 3D renders
Scaled plans, elevations, and sections (1:100)
Materials and glazing schedules
Builder-friendly details to support early feasibility and costing
Siting suggestions & scenarios for passive solar optimisation, boundary offsets etc
This package gives you the detail needed to assess fit, price, and overall viability — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
The house is named for the endangered Swift Parrot, who makes the migratory trip from Tassie to the mainland every year, taking advantage of the flowering gums in Victorian and NSW before heading back home for breeding season. It’s the fastest parrot in the world, but is threatened by habitat loss due to forestry harvesting and urban/agricultural clearing.
Ready to build?
Our Working Drawings Package includes everything your builder and consultants need to move forward with confidence.
What’s included:
Construction drawings and schedules (does not include site related plans, site plan, external works, landscaping)
External materials and glazing details
Single-use copyright license
Documentation referencing NC 2022. Local adaptation may be required
Documentation suitable for tendering and building contracts
It’s a solid foundation that helps streamline the process — reducing cost, confusion, and delays.