Inspired by the blackened tones and earthy textures of Banjup’s native bushland, this extraordinary custom by Arklen is a distinctive home.

Built for a family of five, including three boys under 14, a dog and a turtle, the property features a spacious and modern split-level and single-storey house.

A kids’ zone with three bedrooms, a bathroom and a rumpus room is a welcome element of the free-flowing layout, leading to a comfortable adults’ wing with a master bedroom, walk-in robe and ensuite.

Bonus features in the amenity-filled house include two powder rooms, an ancillary guest room with bathroom, a study, a laundry, a home office, a multi-use room and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.

This stylish space conveniently opens into the beautifully kept bore-reticulated garden and alfresco, complete with a barbecue area, half basketball court, half footy oval, posts, cricket nets and a working shed.

A centrepiece of the abode’s outdoor area, the swimming pool and spa combination is a great addition for year-round entertaining, while a three-car garage is also one of many bonus features.

Arklen Managing Director Mark Diedricks said the five-acre block was transformed to emulate a slice of paradise the clients experienced while on holiday.

“The clients had holidayed at a resort with some similar design elements, such as the rammed earth and exposed steel,” he said.

“They tracked down the architect – Keen Architecture – and the design grew from there.

“They have three young boys and wanted their forever home to suit the needs of an active, growing family.

“The boys are very athletic and sports-minded, so the space and facilities for them to play was essential.”

Mr Diedricks found it difficult to single out his favourite features.

“There’s too many interesting design elements to pick from, but I’ll highlight the breezeway and extensively high ceilings along the large, exposed structural steel,” he said.

“One of my favourite internal elements would have to be the turtle tank for Gwido, designed as part of the kitchen and facing the living room.”

Also impressive are the Banjup home’s green credentials, with the home brimming with passive solar principles.

The house is fitted with a 10.8-kilowatt solar PV and battery storage system, and all water is harvested onsite and stored in a main 160,000L tank, complemented by two 26,000L tanks.

Moreover, a heat pump hot-water system enables instant hot water at the outlet and a beautiful wood fire contributes to warming the home.

There are large ceiling fans and extensive use of louvres for cross ventilation, a rooftop sprinkler system for fire protection, intelligent wiring and smart orientation.

Built this year, this modern home predominantly uses rammed earth for the walls and sand-finished rendered brick with strong thermal mass properties, among several other energy-saving principles.

Keen Architecture Director Kris Keen said it was a very comfortable house.

“The client told us the passive solar principles worked really well over winter and they only turned the fireplace on twice, out of novelty,” he said.

“Aside from the energy performance of the home, what’s really striking is how it looks.”

Standing out from the crowd with dark charcoal colouring, this unique home is a deep and moody reference to the beautiful surrounding bushlands.

Mr Keen said it was designed to embrace blackened and burnt patches of nature, essentially blending into the environment.

“We put together a texture and palette that really integrates well into the bush and mirrors the surroundings,” he said.

“Other touches, like the skillion roof, are largely there for passive solar purposes, such as maximising the northern light, but it also serves as an architecture feature that runs through the spine of the home.

“It’s definitely a unique design.”