This spectacular is set on a sprawling 40 acres of rural farmland, with bayside views. The house site was relocated to capture the views and acquire some privacy. The occupants of Scotchman’s View farmhouse experience the building as a harmonious blend of traditional rural aesthetics and contemporary design, tailored to reflect their identities and lifestyle.

The dark timber cladding softens the balance of the dark metal cladding and exposed steel beams, connecting the home to its rural roots.

There is understated beauty in symmetry and this home encapsulates this. Externally, the buildings capture echoes of the past, but with modern materiality and design. Rammed earth was chosen due to its organic ties to rural and coastal properties. Dark metal cladding is non-reflective and low maintenance, blending artfully into the landscape. The built form doesn’t present as a stark contrast. It allows the green surrounding to pop and be the hero.

The spacious well-appointed kitchen is all about well-considered design and ample storage solutions with its clever concealed cabinetry and clean lines.

Inside there are generous living spaces including a central kitchen for meals and dining, master suite, two kids’ bedrooms with walk-in robes and ensuites, guest bedroom with its own amenities, an office and study nook, rumpus room for the kids and a triple garage. The heart of the design is the central pod, drawing inspiration from the elegant forms of a Japanese origami (kabuto). This pod appears to floar; accentuated by the internal pitched design, it gracefully hovers above the cathedral windows that frame the main living space, with floating cantilevers at the front and back forming the delicate folds.

The homeowners wanted a layout that would allow the family to evolve within the space, to cater for their changing needs as their children grow so both parents and kids have privacy. Given that the build would be in a more open position, the design alo needed to offer measure to combat this. The house was lowered slightly into a hill and utilises an existing pine windbreak for protection. The design creates protective wings around the deck and pool area, ensuring usability throughout the year and creating a shield from the elements.

Soft landscaping elements around the exterior bode well with the strong materiality of the build.

There are significant references to Scotchman’s View’s rural locale. The exposed steel beams are symbolic of the steel you might discover rusted around a farm. For example, the timber cladding is dark and moody, but offers a sense of calm. Particularly when you are greeted with the juxtaposed Japanese garden — a moment of tranquility before you are struck by the amazing views. It’s the sum of all experience, as you take in this home, which makes this project unforgettable.