ARALUEN

A Modern Farmhouse Reimagined

Where Classic Proportions Meet Contemporary Craft

Tucked into the serene folds of Araluen Valley, this custom-designed farmhouse is a testament to architectural integrity, material honesty, and spatial ingenuity.

A contemporary reimagining of traditional rural dwellings, this residence fuses coastal elegance with timeless farmhouse charm, delivering a home that is both grounded in tradition and progressive in execution.

Materiality & Construction: Performance Meets Aesthetics

Designed for longevity and efficiency, this farmhouse employs timber frame construction for its structural flexibility and thermal benefits, ensuring it adapts to seasonal shifts and passive cooling strategies. The roof sheeting, pitched at 30°, follows prevailing wind principles, while sarking and bushfire-compliant detailing (BAL 12.5-rated vents, ember guards, and external finishes) make it both a resilient and responsive structure.

Flooring, joinery, and cabinetry selections favour low-maintenance, high-durability materials, with:

Engineered stone benchtops (low-crystalline silica) ensuring both aesthetic refinement and workplace safety compliance.
Prefinished Laminex cabinetry with ABS edging, marrying form and function.
Mitred tiling, frameless shower screens, and custom lighting integrations, reinforcing a seamless design ethos.

Spatial Intelligence: A Blueprint for Multi-Generational Living

A home of this scale is not just about square meterage; it’s about intentional zoning and movement. Here, private retreats and social arenas are carefully delineated:

Four ensuite bedrooms deliver privacy and autonomy, each with a walk-in robe.
The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space serves as the home’s social heart, softened by timber accents and recessed skylights.
A dedicated theatre and library speak to both entertainment and introspection.
The garage and workshop, designed to accommodate up to five vehicles, incorporates increased ceiling heights for hoist compatibility, catering to automotive or hobbyist needs.

Architectural Narrative: Balancing Vernacular & Modernity

The façade is an exercise in proportion and texture, where Dutch gables and deep verandahs provide a rhythmic contrast to the clean lines of weatherboard cladding. The interplay of horizontal forms and steeply pitched roofs recalls the enduring simplicity of historic farmsteads, while the material palette—Colorbond roofing, Scyon Linea cladding, and expansive glazing—introduces a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

Internally, elevated ceilings and open-plan living zones foster a sense of grandeur, while coffered ceilings, framed openings, and recessed lighting create intimate moments of architectural detailing. The 3750mm-high gym and workshop space sits in deliberate contrast to the 2660mm residential wings, reinforcing a clear hierarchy of volume and function.

PROGRESS PICS

Custom Farmhouse - under contruction

Sustainability & Passive Performance

Aligned with passive solar principles, the design maximises natural ventilation and daylighting, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The deep eaves, strategic cross-ventilation, and thermally insulated walls ensure year-round comfort.

Stormwater is efficiently managed via a PVC ring main system, dispersing into onsite soakwells.
Three-phase power provision, ensuring adaptability for future energy demands.
Low-energy LED lighting and solar passive principles enhance operational efficiency.

More than a farmhouse, this is a crafted residence for those who seek design with depth, materiality with meaning, and a home that stands the test of time.