Versant
Yarra ValleySet within the Yarra Valley, this project reimagines a hilltop rural estate through a comprehensive architectural transformation. Retaining the existing siting and prized north-facing orientation, the design builds upon the strength of the original position, reshaping the property into a composed and enduring residence defined by clarity, scale and connection to landscape.
Conceived as a complete reimagining of the estate, the project extends beyond the home to include future winery elements and a cellar door, drawing conceptual cues from the materiality and spatial language of Australian wineries, cellar doors and production processes. The residence itself is reconfigured through a new central volume and a series of recalibrated wings, establishing a clear architectural hierarchy and a more deliberate relationship to the surrounding terrain.
The project is in Design Development with details evolving.
Project Summary
| Location | Yarra Valley, Victoria |
| Type | Masterplanning, manor renovation and extension. Estate curation |
| Site Area | 10ha+ |
| Floor Area | 400m²+ |
| Service Scope | Estate Masterplanning, Architecture, Interior Architecture, Furniture Curation, Lighting Design, Procurement, Project Management, Contract Administration |
| Performance | 7-star |
| Authority | Yarra Ranges Council / BMO |
| Status | Design Development |
A hilltop residence reimagined as a composed rural estate, defined by horizon, material restraint and a singular architectural order.
Conceived as a comprehensive rural estate, the project extends beyond the immediate footprint of the home to establish a broader framework for occupation across the site. Through master planning and ongoing design direction, the work introduces future winery elements, a cellar door, and a consistent spatial and material language that will unify the property over time. This approach ensures each intervention contributes to a cohesive and enduring rural setting.
Within this framework, the residence is reimagined through a complete architectural reconfiguration. At its centre, a new gabled volume establishes a clear hierarchy, consolidating the primary living spaces into a singular, expansive room oriented toward the horizon. Adjoining wings are reworked to improve spatial clarity, amenity and long-term flexibility, while a third wing is introduced to accommodate extended family living and evolving patterns of occupation. Together, these elements form a composed and legible arrangement across the site.
Internally, the home is defined by a rich yet restrained material palette. Timber line ceilings and joinery, bringing warmth and rhythm to the expansive volumes, while curated stone elements ground key moments throughout the house. Rammed earth introduces a tactile, enduring quality, referencing the material language of Australian rural setting and reinforcing a connection to the land. Large openings extend the living spaces outward, dissolving the boundary between interior and landscape and framing uninterrupted views across the escarpment. These elements shape an interior environment that is both refined and robust, supporting everyday family life while accommodating moments of gathering and scale.
