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Warragul

A masterplan was created for this rural property to transform it from a dairying monoculture to an indigenous plant nursery. The house and farm buildings were designed to provide a rhythmic flow of garden and farm spaces across the site.

The organic form of the house, with its series of sensually curved rooms and bay windows, immerses one in the garden and the rolling Gippsland landscape.

Local Tynong granite and radial sawn timber have been combined with eggshell-smooth rendered walls, to create a home which is sculptural but refined.  The flowing Redgum and Ash kitchen was built by Anton Gerner.

Built by John Davis and Graham Patrick in 2004, this house uses a reed bed septic system, solar hot water, rain water tanks, wood and gas hydronic heating, and is surrounded by pergolas, gardens and orchards.

"As hard to believe as this may sound, every day (really) I still find myself appreciating some visual or utilitarian aspect of this house. Especially when a night sky surrounds the glowing firebox set in our stone chimney, or when I have to run in from the rain and need an entrance, quick.

Elements which stand out in memory or working with the softloudhouse team are:lowest possible environmental impact (old wood was used as often as possible, stone from nearby quarries etc) client and site specific aesthetics.The really listen to you, and don't lose sight of who will be living in their work product."

John Widelock

Photographer: Ben Wrigley