When Ian Moffat and Anika Johnstone moved into their house in the tiny Adelaide suburb of Glandore in 2021, they gave their new home a name: Hortense. Guided by the principle of ‘just enough’, they saw Architect Jon Lowe’s work in Sanctuary, and contacted him to design sustainable, efficient, and flexible additions to their home.
Sustainability upgrades included a north-facing polished concrete slab for thermal mass, cross ventilation and high-level windows for night cooling, insulated brickwork and all-electric appliances to eliminate the gas supply. Hortense is one of 200 houses featuring in Sustainable House Day 2026.
Read the full story in Sanctuary 74, or, subscribe now to gain digital access to all back editions of Sanctuary and never miss another story.
Words: Brita Frost
Image credit: @belindamonck
Architect: @jonlowearchitect
Builder: @tarone_constructions
Valentine's Day: a day to celebrate all things love or just a Hallmark Holiday?
I've personally had a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day for a long time. I've often felt that the it's been overly commercialised.
However, as I get older, I truly value any time that highlights the good feelings in life. Love is to be valued and celebrated. In life it doesn't always come easy and the hard times help us see the good. I love that the fragility and beauty of flowers is used to celebrate love at weddings, valentines day and other special times. It's so fitting.
So I've decided I'm all for Valentine's Day. After all it combines my fav things.....flowers, chocolate and of course love.
Happy Valentine's day to you and your favourite people. Let them know you love them however you see fit. xx
Featured florist magic:
@botanicalarchitecture@samburnellfloraldesign@hyggestudio_@kilter.com.au@bloomingbridal
Pets at weddings, in my book there's nothing better. Check out these cuties for your Friday hit of cuteness on Hello May's blog. Guaranteed to have you smiling from ear to ear and featuring Opie, from Kayla and Andy's wedding, who was looking very refined in his top hat and suit 😍 Thanks so much @hellomaymagazine x
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2021, all part of the journey. Wishing you all the very best for 2022 and the journey ahead.
I'm so grateful to my amazing clients. Thank you for trusting me with the most precious of events, creating beautiful moments to treasure with your families and friends and for the super talented creators who have collaborated with me.
2022 we got this. Now for the champers xxx
Weddings are not always smooth sailing!
A bit like life really........there might be rain, someone might be late, a car could break down and the list could go on. I'm here to tell you, it's ok. You'll still get married, your nearest and dearest will be there and we will have a plan A, B, C and D if we need it. Life at the moment is anything but predictable but that doesn't stop love. It doesn't stop people getting married and celebrating the most wonderful parts of life. We will have chatted about what is most important to you, what your priorities are on the day, so that if we need to swing into plan B, I will just do it and you won't need to worry.
Besides without rain there are no rainbows.....or awesome moody skys, like it was for Susan & Jeff. A little bit of rain didn't stop them and I would say blessed them with a bit of good luck.
Susan & Jeff
Check out these guys looking very fancy and totally loved up.
They are lucky in love a second time around. Having already been together for 15 years they got married in the most gorgeous intimate garden ceremony.
Congrats Mr & Mrs Millar
