{"id":760585,"date":"2026-06-26T01:59:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T01:59:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/760585\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T01:59:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T01:59:40","slug":"ahead-of-the-curve-premium-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/760585\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahead of the curve – Premium Property"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love using my hands, and being able to see something in front of you that you\u2019ve created was quite an inspiring passion project,\u201d says Ben, operations manager for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for Dad too, I think it was a highlight for him in his career \u2013 the two of us working together.<\/p>\n

Ben, a Kangarilla local, was looking for a \u201cbush block\u201d where he could build a house with sustainability at the forefront.\u00a0\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always had a passion for architecture, as well as the environment, so I wanted to design something that wasn\u2019t your run-of-the-mill kind of house but could still have really sound, sustainable design principles behind it,\u201d Ben says.<\/p>\n

\u201cMax\u2019s work isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really demonstrated that you can build an environmentally sustainable house and make it look quite beautiful at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

The home has a practical and unique layout and Ben says it is often referred to as the \u201clong house\u201d \u2013 it spans around 30 metres from its east to west walls, but only around six metres from north to south.<\/p>\n

Subsequently, every room takes advantage of the north facing orientation, and double-glazed windows along the entire north wall not only increase the home\u2019s insulation but also give every room a view.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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\u2019s completely shaded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get these full panoramic views of Mount Lofty and ocean views towards Gulf St Vincent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the top of the property, on a clear day, you can see all the way down to Cape Jervis, which is quite unique.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you can turn around and look back towards Mount Lofty and the city lights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Louvres along the south walls work with the sliding doors and gully breezes to maximise cross ventilation.<\/p>\n

The way that the home has been built into the slope of the property \u2013 with its shorter southern walls rising to three metre, glass walls \u2013 is not only a design feature, but creates further insulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like it\u2019s rising out of the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re walking into the house, it almost looks partially underground from the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben says stonemasonry is one of his dad\u2019s specialties, so they repurposed the stone excavated from the site to create feature walls throughout the home, bringing the outside in.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was something that Max was always keen to put in one of his houses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted to do it in his own house, but wasn\u2019t able to in the en, so the opportunity fell to us \u2013 it\u2019s so unique.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Ben and his wife Caroline have added an external garage and self-contained studio, also designed by Max Pritchard to keep the home cohesive.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiving in this house allows you to fully enjoy the seasons rather than hide from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching winter storms roll in from the ocean or relaxing under the magnificent gums out on the deck are among our favourite experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to trust someone like Max Pritchard,\u201d Ben says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted this house to be timeless, so that you wouldn\u2019t know what era it was built in and I think Max really achieved that.<\/p>\n

Ben and Caroline are now looking to make a sea change \u2013 their next project set to be a major renovation that they also plan to get Max involved in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always said that I have another house in me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sale of 122 Peters Creek Road, Kangarilla, is being handled by Clint Ray and Lauren Grant<\/a> of Adelaide Hills Real Estate.<\/p>\n

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