Escape Plan A cabin-style design delivers comfort for all in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.
A Victorian couple’s desire for the perfect weekender produced a cosy cabin-style retreat they never want to leave.
“In terms of design, we preferred something simple. I believe we used the word ‘humble’ in our initial brief.” Max Waller, owner
For the most part, Max Waller, his wife Tara and their newborn baby live in aware house-style apartment on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD. But since their rural retreat was completed, in December 2019, they are increasingly spending more of their week at Hepburn Springs, near Daylesford in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. About 90 minutes’ drive from the Wallers’ city pad, it’s the perfect place for some solitude (or isolating) and an idyllic environment from which to work if needed, says architect Tim Clarke, co-director of Telha Clarke.
The house was sited to take advantage of a natural plateau and tranquil bush views. Located at the end of a drive that crosses a gully and is surrounded by mature gum trees, the home itself occupies just 180 square metres – the same size as the couple’s city apartment. “Usually, it would be just us and our baby here so a large, sprawling home wasn’t necessary. Rather, we wanted a home that we could use regularly but could also accommodate gatherings with extended family and friends,” says Max. “In terms of the design, we preferred something simple – I believe Tara and I used the word ‘humble’ in our initial brief.”
The concept of a cabin-style home came up early in the design discussions,
“The surrounding landscape is an integral part of the home.” Tim Clarke, architect
says Tim. “Max and Tara have a love of simple forms, but they weren’t shy of making a statement either.”
The L-shaped house was conceived as two interconnected pavilions. The primary pavilion, oriented to the west of the site, is clad in slate shingles and contains a generous open-plan kitchen/dining/living space and the main bedroom suite. The guest pavilion, in white rendered brick, contains two additional bedrooms, a bathroom, study and a laundry/mud room. “The pavilion design enables Max and Tara to partially close the guest wing off when it’s not in use, which helps reduce energy consumption and costs,” says Tim.
The main living area, which overlooks a gully, features a 4.5-metre high wall of glass that is simply jaw-dropping. Extending the full height and width of the south-west face of the home, the glass wall gives the occupants the feeling of being at one with nature. Tall windows with deep reveals punctuate the length of the structure; another element designed to bring the outside in. “The surrounding landscape is an integral part of the home,” says Tim. “The windows frame views of the majestic gum trees so they can be enjoyed from every room.”
The kitchen, also part of the open-plan area, is clean-lined and minimal yet visually interesting thanks to its combination of contrasting materials – a wall of white laminate joinery and an island bench made from rich chocolate-toned timber veneer. Apart from the sleek stainless-steel stove, appliances are integrated into the white joinery. This joinery blends in with the surrounding walls, painted Dulux Natural White, ensuring the kitchen recedes in the overall space. The island, however, is a focal point. Its large scale and robust Caesarstone top make casual dining and meal preparation a breeze, regardless of the number of cooks in the kitchen.
A double-sided fireplace (one side heats the living spaces, the other services the outdoor entertaining area) brings visual and physical warmth to the home. “It can snow here in the depths of winter, so it was important to get the heating and insulation right,” says Tim. “It’s not just the thickness of the walls that makes this home an inviting place to be. It’s the feeling of being in a cabin, where we are protected from the elements, irrespective of the weather,” says Max.
Telha Clarke, South Yarra, Victoria; (03) 8672 5999 or telhaclarke.com.au.