Loch Hill house is a major redesign of an existing single-storey farmhouse stationed in the rolling rural Southern Tablelands of NSW. Located near Crookwell, the original building stood as a cherished but constrained home for the owners (and architect’s parents) of 15 years. 

The new vision called for additional space for traveling guests to stay, rest and enjoy country living to rejuvenate. The redesign would feature a light-filled formal living room, a family area positioned adjacent to an inviting and highly functional open-plan kitchen. The planning process needed a sensitive approach to respect the existing house, the established surrounding gardens, pool and wider countryside context.

Creating a substantial expansion while sustainably maintaining the character of the existing layout brought challenges. The original farmhouse structure was retained, forming an interesting aesthetic, beautifully blending with the contemporary new additions and established garden. 

The second storey addition required an unconventional strategy to maintain the visual appeal from outside, and core buildability of the project. The solution was to build upwards by tucking most of the new living spaces within the new roof volume. 

The curved roof played a role of visually lowering the roofline while still maintaining the required headroom within. The external roof form and internal structure became points of pride for the owners, highlighted by the internally expressed roof framing. 

Inside, the north-facing skylights efficiently capture winter sun while adjustable louvres shield summer sun. The inclusion of a double-height ceiling in the living room brings an element of restrained drama to the informal space, complementing the pebbled polished concrete floors.

The interior finishes are intentionally simple and fresh, but not without warmth.

Whitewashed doors and frames added texture to the crisp white painted walls and ceilings. Timber-framed doors and windows were complemented by brushed stainless steel door furniture offering a visual contrast from the timber.

The external building surfaces include galvanised iron roof sheeting to match existing farm buildings, bagged brickwork with coloured cement to maintain a rustic finish, with climber plants to soften sightlines and merge the home into its garden setting.

This special project celebrates sensitive adaptation and innovative use of space in the form of a new spacious two-storey family home, designed and reborn to respect and honour the old and the new of the family farm.