The more dramatic the land, the more dramatic the architecture; they go hand in hand. This building stretches out into space, over a residential garden below, which is a link to the Botanic Gardens, and then the mountains that surround this beautiful country town.

Rob Mills

Hillside Residence floats above a beautifully landscaped sloping site, enveloped by greenery and commanding Botanic Garden vistas in one of Australia’s most picturesque regional cities. The site’s dramatic natural topography informed the architectural form with a tapered, organic design—nestled on the hillside at its base and extending out into the treetops on the upper level.

The home’s setting among the gardens informed the natural palette of materials inside. Warm, timber-lined ceilings cocoon the large open spaces, while a layered approach to textures and colours adds richness and depth.

High-quality Australian and Italian furniture elevates the interiors without being ostentatious. Rather, the focus is on effortless enjoyment, moving from room to room, surrounded by expansive treeline views and an exceptional collection of art by Australian and Indigenous artists.

Materials include natural American oak crown-cut timber, engineered timber, and solid timber. Feature stonework includes onyx in the main ensuite and quartzite for the kitchen benchtop and splashback. Undyed yak wool carpet was selected for the bedrooms.

The layout is predominantly set over one level, with secondary bedrooms and a wine cellar on the lower level, connected by a sculptural stair and elevator. The study was conceived as a place to find focus at the heart of the home. With acoustic separation from the rest of the house, this quiet space offers views through glazed steel frame doors into the living room, kitchen, and beyond to the Botanic Gardens. The master bedroom suite, which occupies its own pavilion, is also designed to emphasise quiet and privacy.

The extended cantilevered terrace and roofline of Hillside Residence reduce the heat load from windows. During the hot months, the terrace doubles as a shading device, creating a cooler outdoor area beneath and reducing the need for air conditioning in harsh summers.

With intelligent design against a sloping site and thoughtful spatial planning over a single level, our clients can enjoy an effortlessly balanced home, work, and family life in the place they love for many years to come.