In Conversation: Solterra Building Co.
Meet the makers: High Wycombe SDA
As you round the corner of this High Wycombe development, you sense that something is different. Perhaps, it’s the umbrella of the Macadamia tree, hugging the street frontage. The textural earth walls that rise to meet the spring sky. The joyful trades on site – singing along to the boombox – as they put the finishing touches to the exterior cladding.
It feels like a natural extension of what’s always been here, paired with an undeniable sense that these will be homes unlike any we’ve seen before.
In the first of our Meet the Makers series, we sit down with Mike and Chantelle, the dual minds behind Solterra Building Co, to unpack their design practice known as ‘neuroarchitecture’. As they look to rewrite the standard of SDA in Western Australia.
Nesti: Let’s start with an introduction from yourself & a bit about the Green Building Co. Philosophy.
Solterra: Sure, so we are Mike and Chantelle. We created Solterra homes to be a point of different in the market. We are about building homes that feel good. That are filled with light. Materials that you just want to touch. And spaces that promote a sense of wellbeing.
Nesti: From the Macadamia trees to the rammed-earth walls, there is a homage to the natural environment at play in this build. How important is respecting that to your overall vision for these homes?
Solterra: The trees are what initially drew us to this site, as we’ve gotten Macadamias and flame trees that anchor the build and determined the positioning for the three homes. The rammed-earth walls not only look beautiful and tactile but are a sustainable option that retain heat in winter and keep the homes cool in summer.
Our vision has been realised by bringing nature in, wherever possible. The floor to ceiling windows, as well as access to courtyards, means the flow not only feels good – but promotes a calm and serene environment to live in.
Nesti: In terms of how you approached this development – where did you draw inspiration from?
Solterra: In the homes at High Wycombe, we’ve found inspiration in the emerging field of neuroarchitecture. A design philosophy that explores how our brains and bodies respond to spaces and places. And we use these cues throughout the homes; hallways that glimpse the green outdoors, living spaces that are orientated to feel like a sanctuary, and double-glazed windows for a noise-free environment. We’ve delved deep – not only on functionality – but how you feel here.
Nesti: What made you choose the Nesti team to collaborate with in bringing these homes to life?
Solterra: We joined with Nesti at the very beginning stages of this project, right after we secured the site. They have been pivotal in guiding us through what works and what doesn’t and encouraged us to go above and beyond the Specialist Disability Accommodation guidelines. It’s been a fantastic relationship and we’re so excited for them to manage these properties and support the people who will call these homes their own.
Nesti: What does a day in the life look like for a resident who choose to live here?
Solterra: High Wycombe remains a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a location that is so central – with easy access to the city, or a short drive up the hills into the quaintness of Kalamunda. There are cafes and amenities on your doorstep. Plus a real community feel with the homes being side by side.
If you choose to spend the day at home, you’ll have a range of relaxing spaces to enjoy. Every bedroom is a peaceful retreat, the kitchen is communal and fitted with high-end appliances, plus there are two living and lounge areas to choose from to watch a movie or the breeze through the trees outside.
Nesti: Can you give us three words that describe the homes at what you’ve achieved here?
Solterra: Sanctuary. Wellbeing. Grounded.
The opportunity
2 x 3-bedroom homes for High Physical Support
1 x 2-bedroom home for High Physical Support
Estimated move in date: February 2026
