Lae House
Lae House is an international residential project located in Papua New Guinea, within a tropical coastal environment defined by high humidity, heavy rainfall and intense seasonal variation.
The architectural response is driven by climate first. Rather than resisting environmental conditions, the design embraces them—using ventilation, shading, elevation and material durability as primary generators of form.
Spaces are organised to encourage continuous airflow and natural cooling, with deep overhangs and layered thresholds mediating between interior and exterior conditions. The architecture is open and permeable, allowing the building to breathe while maintaining comfort and shelter.
The spatial arrangement prioritises connection to landscape and sky, with living areas designed as extensions of outdoor space rather than enclosed rooms. This creates a fluid domestic environment that adapts to changing weather patterns and daily rhythms.
Material selection is robust and contextually appropriate, prioritising longevity, weathering and low-maintenance performance within a challenging tropical environment. Surfaces are allowed to age naturally, reinforcing the building’s connection to its setting over time.
The result is a restrained and climate-driven architectural response that privileges performance, endurance and spatial clarity within a tropical context.
Project details
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Exploring Site and Concept Option 1#
Concept 1 proposes a two-storey configuration that establishes a clear vertical gradient of privacy and security across the dwelling. The building is positioned high on the site and articulated as an L-shaped form, defining its relationship to the driveway and establishing a strong geometric response to the topography. This arrangement separates public and private functions across levels while reinforcing the building’s presence within the landscape through a controlled and elevated siting strategy.
Exploring the Site; Concept Option 2#
Concept 2 proposes a single-storey arrangement that explores how privacy and security can be achieved within a horizontal spatial configuration. The architecture is organised as a series of pavilions distributed within the landscape, drawing on local vernacular references and reinterpreting them through a contemporary architectural language. A clear spatial hierarchy defines the plan, with functions arranged to transition progressively from public to more private conditions as one moves through the sequence of spaces.
