Originally a cattle ranch, this 90-acre property has become a canvas for an off-the-grid home designed to work harmoniously with the surrounding rural landscape.
Owner Heather—an artist, gardener, and kindergarten teacher—has always lived a modest, simple life, so the transition to off-grid living seemed like a natural progression. Engaging architects Gardiner Architects, her brief was to create a sustainably designed home influenced by the rural environment and site conditions.
This included ensuring the property was protected from the prevailing westerly winds, and creating several covered outdoor areas that could be enjoyed at different times of the year. Sustainability was also key – Gardiner used prefabricated timber for the roof, and a passive solar design to help reduce the load of the off-grid power system.
“We wanted to provide Heather with a strong and durable home, which impacted the materiality of the interior and exterior,” explains Gardiner architect Marlee Dawson. ‘Heather wanted a simple background color palette, so a simple mix of neutrals, white and wood was chosen. The wood has been painted white to ensure it doesn’t dominate the space too much.’
To heat the house, a wood-fired boiler made by a local manufacturer provides warmth throughout the house. A lush edible garden is also part of the off-grid design, using rainwater and a septic system for transpiration to produce food efficiently. Food from the garden can then be processed on the large south-facing deck, designed to be protected from direct sunlight and rain.
The house allows Heather to “grow and process a range of foodstuffs on site and provides the opportunity to revegetate cleared land, supporting local flora and fauna native to the area,” says Marley.
The original farm cottage still stands on site, with Heather’s son and his family staying not far from the new building. But Heather also requested that the design include a guest suite — including an area for her to practice art therapy — with space for family to stay, or even guests, if she decides to run an off-grid Airbnb in the future.
Over the course of four years (including delays caused by coronavirus lockdowns), Heather’s vision was finally brought to life. The resulting product is “a timeless, resilient farmhouse that transcended the client’s aspirations for a sustainable rural retreat,” says Marley.
