High Country House / Luigi Rosselli Architects

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Text description provided by the architects. This hill top house is an expression of the unique meeting of rural life and culture, situated close to a remote New South Wales country town, home to a university, a regional art gallery and many other cultural institutions.

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The clients seamlessly combine their flourishing agribusiness with their white collar and cultural occupations. Gentlemen farming. The materials outside are resistant to bushfires and the harsh winter climate, while maintaining a crisp and urban finish. The Interiors are an urbane and cultured refuge to a collection of art and indigenous artefacts collected in Africa and Asia. There is no place for whips, saddles and country style clichés. Their modern “Homestead” is located at the peak of the property overseeing the health of the cattle in the valley below through large windows and strategically oriented “wings”, each with a unique view of the meadows.

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The 1000 meter of altitude are felt outside with cold winter fog covering the valley, whilst inside the house is a refuge enhanced by strongly integrated passive solar design principles.The farm sheds and barns are located remotely, creating a separation of work and family life for the owners.

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Keeping nature intact, the grassy slopes of the hill continue all the way up under the concrete platform. The slab and the corrugated steel skirt under, are a protection against grass fires and conceal large water tanks. The concrete and the tanks provide ample thermal mass to balance the temperature extremes that high country encounters.