
Southern Highlands Country Home
It was crucial to have this homestead function both as one residence, but also to break down into two ‘cottages’ to allow family to stay for extended visits or a live-in carer. This requirement meant that the layout had to be carefully considered. We utilised an entry space as the ‘heart’ of the house, connecting to both wings as well as the front and back of the house. Both main living areas have large windows to the north, allowing for plenty of sunlight during winter, but protected from the sun during summer. The double garage is oriented west, protecting the home from hot afternoon sun and westerly winds.
The overall ‘bulk’ of the house is dispersed between two pavilions. The articulation of the façade avoids long, featureless stretches of walls and allows almost every room to have a window on two sides. From the driveway, a formal tone is maintained with stone blade walls and smaller glazing elements. However, the north facades are much more ‘relaxed’ with comfortable outdoor terraces, decks and larger open plan rooms with plenty of natural light.
We chose natural materials for this design, enjoying the contrast of heavy stone with lightweight weatherboards and expansive double glazing. The simple colorbond gable-ended rooves complete the rural Australian palette.
- Hawkesbury Sandstone blade walls
- Spotted Gum hardwood flooring throughout
- Hydronic floor heating throughout
- Solar-passive with double glazed aluminium windows
- Timber weatherboard cladding
- Colorbond roofing

Open Plan Living
Planning


Solar Passive
Formal Entrance

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Post: PO Box 1572 Bowral, NSW 2576 and PO Box 3062 Belconnen, ACT 2617
Architect Registration Number: 9651 (NSW) 2525 (ACT)