How Jamie Durie turned a house into a home

Jamie Durie has completed the building of his dreams, an eco-home located in Sydney’s northern beaches. Over three years, he and his partner Ameka Hane have made a home for their young family that embodies beauty, sustainability and functionality, calling the project ‘Growing Home’.

Jamie spent five years searching nationwide for the best sustainable products, companies and eco-innovation techniques. The building features five levels and five bedrooms, including a guest bedroom, living room, guest living room, TV room, office, gym, greenery throughout the home and a landscape garden complete with an infinity swimming pool, lounge and BBQ area.

Key design and building material partners like Luxaflex, CSR Gyprock and Bradford, have been key in creating the familial space that minimises environmental impact.

“The house is full of eco-innovation like our state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system, this combined with our Solar system gives us the ability to be ‘grid independent’,” Jamie says.

“Every element in this house has been engineered to serve a purpose – whether it’s saving energy, providing healthier air, or a greater connection to nature the house was designed to be healthy for our family and the environment.”

The building is perched on a 37° slope surrounded by native spotted gums. The design naturally flows with the land, creating open spaces that capture sunlight and encourage airflow.

“We wanted the house to feel connected to the landscape – through natural materials, textures, and light. It’s about creating a calm, grounded space where we can grow as a family,” he says.

Jamie selected Broadford’s insulation products to enhance the overall living experience. For thermal efficiency, he selected the Broadford Gold High Performance insulation for the exterior walls to provide a natural barrier to keep the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

This helps stabilise indoor temperatures year-round by reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Soundscreen Acoustic insulation was also installed in essential areas like the bedroom, gym and media room, adding a layer of quiet to each space.

“Every detail in the home needed to elevate our quality of life and respect the environment,” Jamie says.

“With Bradford’s products, we’re able to create spaces that are peaceful, energy-efficient, and functional without sacrificing style.”

Luxaflex Duette Shades play a dual role in the home’s interior, especially in the bedrooms and gym. Crafted from 95% recycled materials, the shades feature a honeycomb structure that traps air to provide a layer of insulation.

“We wanted every element of the home to feel both functional and beautiful,” Jamie says, “and these shades and curtains do just that – helping us create spaces that work for us at every moment of the day.”

Pairing sheer curtains with the blinds allows light to filter into the rooms while maintaining privacy.

“Having that flexibility means the house evolves with us,” Jamie says.

“It’s not about making things perfect all the time but about creating spaces that work with our everyday rhythms.”

The curved walls are crafted by Gyprock Flexible, and the complex shape was integral to bringing the vision to life, blending architectural sophistication with practical durability.

The interiors have been refined using Gyprock’s high-performance products for a flawless finish and sustainable living. Jamie and Ameka chose 10mm HD Gyprock for its high-density core and heavy-duty liner paper that provides a reduction in sound transmission, creating a comfortable and quiet environment.

A curved architectural design with the lightweight Luxaflex sheer curtains wraps elegantly around the front of the home and main living areas.

Luxaflex PowerView Automation offers effortless control over window coverings, allowing the family to adjust blinds and curtains to suit make the space more energy efficient.

“Having that flexibility means the house evolves with us,” Jamie says.

“It’s not about making things perfect all the time but about creating spaces that work with our everyday rhythms.”

Designed for both quiet family moments and lively gatherings, the patio is shaded by Luxaflex Nordic Folding Arm Awnings that extends up to 4m to provide cooling shade. Powder-coated framing allows for custom colours to complement the home’s window frames and enhance the modern aesthetic.

“We knew we’d be spending a lot of time outside, so it was important to have a solution that could handle Australia’s unpredictable weather,” Jamie says.

Equipped with motorised controls and wind sensors, the awnings retract automatically in gusts over 30km/h to ensure the space is always ready to use.

“This project is about showing that sustainable design isn’t just possible, it’s beautiful,” Jamie says.

“It’s about how thoughtful design and innovative products can make a house not just a home, but a legacy. Building smarter, creating homes that feel good to live in, and respecting the environment along the way.”