This house in the central city presents a strong sculptural form to the street and combines the client’s love of concrete with the warmth of timber cladding. At the rear, the house opens to a beautiful secluded garden. The smaller interior spaces, with their carefully considered openings to maintain privacy, are pleasant alternatives to the usual large open-plan spaces. A secret play space for the grandchildren and a serene family bathroom with steeply sloping ceiling and beautiful diffuse light are highlights. A ground-source heat recovery system and solar panels ensure that the long-term costs of running the house will be kept to a minimum. Rather than being hidden away, the solar panels are celebrated and contribute to the success of the street façade.