Bila House is an architectural off-grid house that redefines sustainable living through the lens of design, innovation and environmental sensitivity.
Located in Avalon, New South Wales, this remarkable home is the result of a collaboration between architect Silvester Fuller and designer Jamie Durie. Built on a steep, ecologically sensitive 37-degree slope, the project is a study in how modern architecture can work in harmony with nature, rather than against it.
This episode offers a full house tour of one of Australia’s most ambitious examples of sustainable design. From its minimal site impact to its deep connection with the surrounding landscape, Bila House is an architectural off-grid house that blends luxury, performance and environmental integrity. Every tree and contour of the site influenced the design decisions made by the team, resulting in a structure that feels embedded in its natural setting.
Inside, the interior design of an architectural off-grid house is both refined and resilient. With an emphasis on natural materials, the home features stone surfaces by Neolith, a leader in eco-conscious manufacturing. Neolith’s Calacatta C01 is used extensively in the kitchen and butler’s pantry, while Black Obsession and Colorado Dunes bring depth and contrast to the bar and bathroom areas. These surfaces were chosen not just for their durability, but for their alignment with the project’s environmental values.
At the heart of this home is a high-efficiency renewable-energy system that reduces reliance on the grid by up to 80 per cent. This system is complemented by low-carbon Australian concrete, recycled ocean plastic window coverings and a chemical-free pool – all contributing to the home’s outstanding sustainable design credentials.
From the outside, Bila House presents as a restrained, quietly confident presence in the landscape. But as the house tour unfolds, the true complexity of its design emerges. Smart solar orientation, circadian lighting and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions all come together to create an experience that is both technically sophisticated and deeply human.
This is more than just an exercise in design excellence – it’s a call to think differently about what it means to build and live well. As an architectural off-grid house, Bila House makes the case that true luxury lies in simplicity, intention and a deep respect for the environment.
Whether you’re passionate about architecture, love thoughtful interior design or looking for inspiration for your home, this project offers a masterclass in how to balance comfort, innovation and care for the planet. With insights from Jamie Durie and Silvester Fuller, this is an architectural off-grid house that represents a new standard in sustainable Australian living.
00:00 – Introduction to An Architectural Off-grid House
00:50 – A Forest Location
01:27 – A Sustainable Brief
02:17 – History of the Name
02:30 – Layout and Shapes of the Home
05:15 – Material Palette
06:09 – Responsible and Sustainable Design
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Photography by Pablo Veiga.
Architecture by Silverster Fuller.
Building and landscape design by Jamie Durie.
Sintered stone by Neolith.
Filmed by The Local Production.
Edited by Cadre.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Pittwater, New South Wales, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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