Ahead of the curve
This architecturally-acclaimed home designed by Max Pritchard champions sustainability in its unique design that boasts north-facing views over Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Gulf St Vincent.
Although Ben Della Torre never followed the family business, instead pursuing his passion for the environment and sustainability, he worked alongside his father, owner of Dellatorre Constructions, to build his Kangarilla home from the ground up.
“I love using my hands, and being able to see something in front of you that you’ve created was quite an inspiring passion project,” says Ben, operations manager for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.
“And for Dad too, I think it was a highlight for him in his career – the two of us working together.
Ben, a Kangarilla local, was looking for a “bush block” where he could build a house with sustainability at the forefront. 
When he found 122 Peters Creek Road almost 20 years ago, he was spoilt for choice on where he wanted to build on the 23.2-hectare property, ultimately choosing the location based on its north-facing orientation.
Ben engaged architect Max Pritchard to create a unique home full of architectural intrigue which brings the outside in and champions sustainability above all else.
“I’ve always had a passion for architecture, as well as the environment, so I wanted to design something that wasn’t your run-of-the-mill kind of house but could still have really sound, sustainable design principles behind it,” Ben says.
“Max’s work isn’t run-of-the-mill and I think he is really good at incorporating the surrounding environment in his design and maximising a lot of those sustainable principles, while making timeless and stylish as well.
“He really demonstrated that you can build an environmentally sustainable house and make it look quite beautiful at the same time.”
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The home has a practical and unique layout and Ben says it is often referred to as the “long house” – it spans around 30 metres from its east to west walls, but only around six metres from north to south.
Subsequently, every room takes advantage of the north facing orientation, and double-glazed windows along the entire north wall not only increase the home’s insulation but also give every room a view.
“It all faces north and the eaves are perfectly distanced from the house so that you get the winter sun penetrating the property, but then during summer it’s completely shaded.”
“We get these full panoramic views of Mount Lofty and ocean views towards Gulf St Vincent.”
“From the top of the property, on a clear day, you can see all the way down to Cape Jervis, which is quite unique.
“Then you can turn around and look back towards Mount Lofty and the city lights.”
Louvres along the south walls work with the sliding doors and gully breezes to maximise cross ventilation.
The way that the home has been built into the slope of the property – with its shorter southern walls rising to three metre, glass walls – is not only a design feature, but creates further insulation.
“It looks like it’s rising out of the hill.”
“When you’re walking into the house, it almost looks partially underground from the back.”
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Ben says stonemasonry is one of his dad’s specialties, so they repurposed the stone excavated from the site to create feature walls throughout the home, bringing the outside in.
The master bedroom and en suite is one large, open space not separated by walls. The show stopper here is the large concrete pipe that has been repurposed as a shower.
“That was something that Max was always keen to put in one of his houses.”
“He wanted to do it in his own house, but wasn’t able to in the en, so the opportunity fell to us – it’s so unique.”
Ben and his wife Caroline have added an external garage and self-contained studio, also designed by Max Pritchard to keep the home cohesive.
“Living in this house allows you to fully enjoy the seasons rather than hide from them.”
“Watching winter storms roll in from the ocean or relaxing under the magnificent gums out on the deck are among our favourite experiences.”
Since it was completed in 2008, the property has been widely celebrated and recognised by national and international property and architecture television shows and publications including House & Garden and Architecture Australia.
“You’ve got to trust someone like Max Pritchard,” Ben says.
“We wanted this house to be timeless, so that you wouldn’t know what era it was built in and I think Max really achieved that.
Ben and Caroline are now looking to make a sea change – their next project set to be a major renovation that they also plan to get Max involved in.
“I’ve always said that I have another house in me.”
The sale of 122 Peters Creek Road, Kangarilla, is being handled by Clint Ray and Lauren Grant of Adelaide Hills Real Estate.
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