Discovering A Modern Architect’s Wood Clad and Sustainable Modern Farm House (House Tour)

Responding to context and climate, the architect delivers Stonelea, an authentic, multi-generational country retreat embedded in the landscape. Nestled in the western foothills of the Blue Mountains, Stonelea by Matthew Woodward Architecture tenderly responds to context.

Continuing a long-standing interest in connecting people with landscape, Stonelea gently frames the human experience within its striking rural surrounds. An existing cluster of workers’ cottages, each with a wondrous view across the vast valley and connection to the Coxs River below, informed the planning and articulation of the home.

The home’s linear and low-lying form draws on the Australian shed vernacular. A minimalist approach to form is articulated in the generous floor plan, whilst the earthy materials reflect an affinity with the landscape. Stonelea’s barn-like form skilfully combines hardwood timber shiplap and metal roof sheeting set on a weighty podium of local stone, embedding the house atop the slope of the river and valley panorama.

The architect dexterously planned around established trees, conveying a seamlessness with the landscape that belies the age of the architecture. A simple, elongated spatial arrangement gives hierarchy and order between public and private spaces. Ensuite guest bedrooms and a kids’ room are lined along a timber-screened walkway, flanked by a large master bedroom to the north and expansive living spaces to the south, affording acoustic separation and privacy.

The clients’ love of food, wine and entertaining is embraced by the architect in the generously scaled kitchen, living and dining areas. Wide sliding doors open the interior up to the landscape, which features wrap-around timber decks, paved stone terraces and native gardens. Two double-height, timber-lined stairwells descend into the stone plinth below: one to the cellar and wine-tasting room, the other to a large rumpus room.

Throughout, the architect employs a robust palette of rustic, natural materials that enables Stonelea to take the knocks of a working cattle farm. This proclivity is expressed in pitched ceilings of meranti plywood and tapered blackbutt rafters that float above burnished concrete floors.

Function and utility are also key considerations for the architect, as are the environmental principles employed to continue the legacy of country living. Passive design is combined with technological initiatives for power generation, water collection, heating and cooling so that the operational footprint on the environment is minimised.

The sustainable considerations of the architect skilfully coalesce with the sentimentality and ambition of the clients’ brief, creating a sincere and unpretentious home that sits comfortably in its rugged landscape. Stonelea celebrates the simplicity of country life – it is a place that is intended to leave its mark and be passed down for generations.

00:00 - Introduction to the Sustainable Modern Farm house
00:48 - The Brief
01:00 - Retaining the Existing Elements
01:20 - Consideration of the Carbon Footprint
01:43 - A Walkthrough of the Home
02:55 - Providing Natural Light
03:44 - Drawing Inspiration from the Site and the Landscape
04:39 - A Result of Combined Efforts and Proud Moments

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Photography by Brett Boardman.
Architecture by Matthew Woodward Architecture.
Build by PCM Projects.
Styling by Alexandra Gordon.
Landscape by Michael Cooke Garden Design.
Structural Engineering by James Taylor & Associates.
Furniture by Living Edge.
Filmed and Edited by Emble Studio.
Production by The Local Project.

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.

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