Ampelite Wonderglas GC®: Bringing Light and Life to The Longhouse

When is a shed more than a shed? When it’s a home, garden, kitchen, cooking school and reception venue — all under one translucent skin.

Designed by Donovan Hill and crowned Australian House of the Year at the 2019 Houses Awards, The Longhouse in Daylesford is an architectural standout. But beyond the acclaim is an exceptional use of materials — including over 1500m² of Ampelite’s Wonderglas GC® in the Supersix profile.

A Living, Breathing Envelope. The entire structure is clad almost entirely in Wonderglas GC®, a glass-reinforced polyester sheeting system designed to harness and filter natural light. Varying tints were carefully selected for each façade and roof plane to optimise solar gain, shade, and passive thermal control — helping maintain a stable environment inside with minimal mechanical input.

Passive Design Meets Product Performance

• Translucent cladding turns the internal volume into a lush indoor garden.
• The build meets Passive House principles, with low reliance on heating and cooling.
• Designed with sustainability in mind — ready for solar and battery integration.

Why Wonderglas GC®?

Purpose-built for architectural and industrial environments, our premium gel-coated fibreglass product, Wonderglas GC® delivers diffused natural light, exceptional UV resistance, and long-term colourfast performance. Its glass-reinforced structure offers higher impact resistance compared to standard polycarbonate or PVC options, while maintaining a clean, minimal aesthetic. Ideal for both roofing and wall cladding, it’s a solution that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Featured on Grand Designs Australia (Series 7, Episode 10), this project is more than a rural retreat — it’s a bold rethink of how translucent sheeting can be used in residential and multipurpose architecture.

We’re proud to have played a part in bringing The Longhouse to life with a product that delivers natural light, visual softness, and long-term durability.

Got a project in mind that needs performance and poetry? Get in touch to explore some of the translucent sheeting offerings that Ampelite can deliver on your next project.