Mount View

A luxurious barn home for the modern Australian landscape

Black standing seam roofs form the backbone of this luxury contemporary county home at whose heart lies a double height timber framed hall. This grand hall constructed as a traditional timber frame welcomes visitors to the house and introduces the theme of hand-crafted quality which pervades this project.

The scale and spatial drama of the interiors is balanced by the warmth and comfort of a traditional country house. While offering large open spaces for the public areas of the house we integrated more intimate spaces for the family on the upper levels.

“When creating the material palette for the house we very much wanted to draw on the natural surroundings of the house. We incorporated timber, stone, steel and water to bring warmth and texture to this monumental build. We drew inspiration form the colours of the gum trees and the texture and play of light and surface."

A close attention to detail plays against the scale of the house and provides intimate moments in the narrative of the building. Timber panelling and wallpapers add more traditional notes to the overall scheme.

The northern façade is designed as a sequence of stone clad gables and blade walls which lends this aspect a monumentality and grandeur and define the outdoor kitchen and entertainment area, the winter courtyard and the kitchen garden. The mass of the house promotes a sense of permanence and anchors the building into this 80acre property.

The large infinity edge pool blurs the distinction between house and landscape. A mix of native and exotic plants have been used to bring nature closer to the house – the landform shaped to reflect the surrounding undulating hills and mountains.

“In this project we wanted to create a timeless elegance and beauty that would lend dignity and permanence to our design, we wanted to make a statement while maintain a sense of establishing a ‘home’ for our clients.”

Clark+Granger worked on all aspects of this 2000 sqm building. We designed both the house and interiors and the surrounding landscaping including the pool, an equestrian centre and stables.

Words by Jez Clark

Photography by Sabine Bannard