Houzz Tours
Architecture
Rural Houzz: A Modern Mountain Retreat Set Among the Gums
Explore a cleverly designed country home that sits quietly within the landscape, while providing views from every room
When these homeowners migrated from South America, they quickly fell in love with the Australian landscape and decided to buy a large, treed lot in a beautiful, rural conservation area at the foot of Mount Towrong in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. With the aim of building their dream home, they engaged architect Lynnsay Prunotto of Lume Architecture and her husband, builder Marco Prunotto of Lume Projects, to bring their vision of a modern farmhouse nestled within the gum trees to life.
It was a labour of love that took three and a half years to realise. “It was incredibly challenging to obtain a permit to build a new house on a heavily treed site in a rural conservation area that is prone to bushfire,” says Lynnsay Prunotto. “We had to carefully analyse the trees to retain the maximum number, while considering safety in the event of wildfire. The house was also under construction when Victoria went into lockdown and building prices skyrocketed. Notwithstanding, the house was completed on time and within budget.” Read on to see this beautiful home.
It was a labour of love that took three and a half years to realise. “It was incredibly challenging to obtain a permit to build a new house on a heavily treed site in a rural conservation area that is prone to bushfire,” says Lynnsay Prunotto. “We had to carefully analyse the trees to retain the maximum number, while considering safety in the event of wildfire. The house was also under construction when Victoria went into lockdown and building prices skyrocketed. Notwithstanding, the house was completed on time and within budget.” Read on to see this beautiful home.
How did you use Houzz?
“Images on Houzz helped the client visualise their ideas and express their preferences when it came to selecting products,” says Prunotto.
Looking for an architect? Find one near you on Houzz
“Images on Houzz helped the client visualise their ideas and express their preferences when it came to selecting products,” says Prunotto.
Looking for an architect? Find one near you on Houzz
Situated in the lush foothills of Mount Macedon, this house creates a memorable first impression. Dark, warm textures clad a multi-gabled silhouette that lurks from behind soaring ghost gums. The silhouette outlines a plan of slender extrusions that intersect to form a house with several facets.
From a design perspective, the faceted floor plan works on several levels, says Prunotto. “It allowed us to create pockets – semi-courtyard spaces between the different rooms of the house. These pockets, combined with the careful placement of windows, are oriented to draw in golden, northern light, while giving each room a sense of seclusion, protection from the wind and, more importantly, immersing the home in the glowing greenery that spills across the site.”
From a design perspective, the faceted floor plan works on several levels, says Prunotto. “It allowed us to create pockets – semi-courtyard spaces between the different rooms of the house. These pockets, combined with the careful placement of windows, are oriented to draw in golden, northern light, while giving each room a sense of seclusion, protection from the wind and, more importantly, immersing the home in the glowing greenery that spills across the site.”
The floor plan.
“The site is sloping, so the house has been strategically stepped down to minimise cut and fill, and was placed in a location that minimised the need to remove mature eucalypts,” says Prunotto. The form of the house, with its steeply pitched gabled roof, was inspired by farmhouse and manor-house aesthetics, both of which are found in the local area.
It’s easy to see what drew the owners to this idyllic spot. “The region is known for its beautifully landscaped European-style gardens nestled among native bushland. The winters can be bitterly cold with occasional snow falls, and the autumn attracts visitors in their droves who walk along the tree-lined streets to witness the changing of the seasons and stock up on locally grown produce and wine,” she says.
“The site is sloping, so the house has been strategically stepped down to minimise cut and fill, and was placed in a location that minimised the need to remove mature eucalypts,” says Prunotto. The form of the house, with its steeply pitched gabled roof, was inspired by farmhouse and manor-house aesthetics, both of which are found in the local area.
It’s easy to see what drew the owners to this idyllic spot. “The region is known for its beautifully landscaped European-style gardens nestled among native bushland. The winters can be bitterly cold with occasional snow falls, and the autumn attracts visitors in their droves who walk along the tree-lined streets to witness the changing of the seasons and stock up on locally grown produce and wine,” she says.
Chair: Ikea.
“My brief was to design a house that responded to its natural context while achieving a level of luxury, privacy and security,” says Prunotto. “The client wanted it to feel warm and inviting – like a sophisticated farmhouse.”
The new abode not only needed to respect its green setting. It also had to frame valley views and capture ample northern light to optimise passive solar energy for the owners and their four beloved cats, who love to sun themselves throughout the day.
The result is a home defined by light-filled, spacious rooms, each with a curated visual connection to the wild outdoor environment.
“My brief was to design a house that responded to its natural context while achieving a level of luxury, privacy and security,” says Prunotto. “The client wanted it to feel warm and inviting – like a sophisticated farmhouse.”
The new abode not only needed to respect its green setting. It also had to frame valley views and capture ample northern light to optimise passive solar energy for the owners and their four beloved cats, who love to sun themselves throughout the day.
The result is a home defined by light-filled, spacious rooms, each with a curated visual connection to the wild outdoor environment.
The main living/dining area. Stone around fireplace: Eco Outdoor. The mantel is made from a recycled railway sleeper that the builder sourced at a local recycled-timber yard.
The architect designed the open and airy main living/dining area so the owners can relax or dine at one end close to the cosy fire, or enjoy the views and warmth of the penetrating winter sun beside a gabled window wall at the other. It also makes a great space for an occasional salsa dancing session – one of the owners’ passions.
Rich and varied textures, including timber, stone, tiles and plasterboard, emphasise the natural connection in the interior.
The architect designed the open and airy main living/dining area so the owners can relax or dine at one end close to the cosy fire, or enjoy the views and warmth of the penetrating winter sun beside a gabled window wall at the other. It also makes a great space for an occasional salsa dancing session – one of the owners’ passions.
Rich and varied textures, including timber, stone, tiles and plasterboard, emphasise the natural connection in the interior.
Greige benchtop: Stone Italiana; melamine Tasmanian Oak joinery finish: Polytec; bar stools: Adriatic Furniture; pendants: Beacon Lighting.
“With views into the surrounding bush and overlooking beautifully landscaped neighbouring gardens, it was important to make the kitchen a place to cook, sit or work while enjoying the outlook and the natural light provided by the expansive north-facing, bi-fold doors,” says Prunotto.
The client sought an island bench where they could comfortably sit or work alone or together. To give them maximum flexibility, Prunotto designed the island as a freestanding table with cabinets on rolling casters beneath it, all of which can be moved freely around the space when desired.
“With views into the surrounding bush and overlooking beautifully landscaped neighbouring gardens, it was important to make the kitchen a place to cook, sit or work while enjoying the outlook and the natural light provided by the expansive north-facing, bi-fold doors,” says Prunotto.
The client sought an island bench where they could comfortably sit or work alone or together. To give them maximum flexibility, Prunotto designed the island as a freestanding table with cabinets on rolling casters beneath it, all of which can be moved freely around the space when desired.
Rough-cut spotted-gum decking; oiled spotted-gum wall cladding; Monument Custom Orb cladding: Colorbond.
The kitchen spills out onto a sunny deck, where the owners can enjoy morning coffee with views towards Mount Towrong.
“The darker colours and natural materials [on the exterior] allow the building to sit quietly within its wooded context,” says Prunotto.
The kitchen spills out onto a sunny deck, where the owners can enjoy morning coffee with views towards Mount Towrong.
“The darker colours and natural materials [on the exterior] allow the building to sit quietly within its wooded context,” says Prunotto.
The home’s most important residents were a priority when it came to the design of the entry. “The client wanted a glazed panel adjacent to the front door so their cats could see out as they wait for them to return from work each day,” says Prunotto.
“Given the rural environment, it was also important to have an entrance where they could store boots and coats,” she says.
Oiled Tasmanian oak floor; V-jointed pine wall lining boards painted in Monument: Dulux; ceiling painted in Vivid White: Dulux.
The internal entrance to the garage is cleverly disguised behind a panelled feature door. “By choosing a dark colour for the interior and lining the cupboard and garage doors with the same boards as the adjacent walls, we were able to creating a quiet, moody space for the owners to come home to,” says Prunotto.
The vertical lining boards in the entry also replicate the pattern of the external sheet metal and were painted to match, creating a visual connection between inside and out.
The internal entrance to the garage is cleverly disguised behind a panelled feature door. “By choosing a dark colour for the interior and lining the cupboard and garage doors with the same boards as the adjacent walls, we were able to creating a quiet, moody space for the owners to come home to,” says Prunotto.
The vertical lining boards in the entry also replicate the pattern of the external sheet metal and were painted to match, creating a visual connection between inside and out.
A generous picture window in the main bathroom provides an enviable bush outlook when the client is reclining in the bath.
“We needed to provide the client with privacy but also wanted to take advantage of the beautiful views surrounding the property. By using smaller, strategically placed windows to the east, the owners don’t feel too exposed but can still enjoy distant views over the valley and bushland,” says Prunotto.
A skylight overhead floods the room with natural light and provides further views to the sky and canopy.
“We needed to provide the client with privacy but also wanted to take advantage of the beautiful views surrounding the property. By using smaller, strategically placed windows to the east, the owners don’t feel too exposed but can still enjoy distant views over the valley and bushland,” says Prunotto.
A skylight overhead floods the room with natural light and provides further views to the sky and canopy.
Main bedroom.
A built-in bench seat with a large, gabled window in the main bedroom creates an appealing spot to read a book or enjoy a cuppa.
A built-in bench seat with a large, gabled window in the main bedroom creates an appealing spot to read a book or enjoy a cuppa.
Guest bedroom/study. Tasmanian oak desk: Market Timbers; walls and joinery painted in Snowy Mountains Half: Dulux; Tasmanian oak flooring.
Your turn
Is this a home you could imagine yourself escaping to? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a colour- and pattern-rich home? Don’t miss this Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
Is this a home you could imagine yourself escaping to? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for your own renovation inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a colour- and pattern-rich home? Don’t miss this Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Mount Macedon, Victoria
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus a multi-purpose room that can be used as an extra bedroom, sitting room or gym
Size of the house: 206 square metres (plus a 48-square-metre attached garage)
Budget: Under AU$1 million
Architects: Lynnsay Prunotto and Ebony Benton at Lume Architecture
Builder: Marco Prunotto at Lume Projects