Jandel Retreat
Designed as a modern rustic retreat for a working farm, this forever home is grounded in natural materials, sustainable systems, and a deep connection to place. The clients came to us with a clear vision: to build a home that felt deeply connected to the land. They’d been collecting materials over the years—bluestone, recycled brick, and old timber—and wanted these to become part of the story. The result is a warm, tactile home that balances a rustic character with thoughtful, contemporary design.
The layout is split into three wings: a main bedroom suite, a central living and kitchen area, and a separate guest wing. The central section is designed to open up to the views, with high ceilings and full-height glazing looking out to the southern hills and eastern paddocks.
We were lucky to have the space to orient the building due north. This meant we could make the most of passive solar design. The two wings are connected by a central roof that’s been carefully angled—so the low winter sun shines through a slot between the roofs and warms the indoor pool. The floors throughout are concrete, helping to absorb that heat during the day and release it slowly overnight—cutting down on the need for artificial heating.
| All of the rooms are set along external covered walkways, which let us use French doors throughout and allow for natural cross-ventilation. The house can really breathe. Heating is off-grid and efficient. A wood-fired boiler heats water, which is then pumped through radiators in each room—a simple hydronic system that works beautifully for this kind of rural setting. There’s also solar battery storage, and a mudroom to ease the transition from working on the property back into the house. There’s room to cook, to work, and to entertain—with a butler’s pantry, home office, and underground wine cellar tucked in behind the main living spaces. Every detail is designed to support a way of life grounded in the seasons, in family, and in place. |
| Construction Construction officially commenced and is now approaching completion. Starting with the foundations and slab, the build quickly began to take form. Brickwork and the steel structure followed, setting the framework for the home’s strong material character. Over the past few months, the addition of roof sheeting and installation of windows have transformed the skeleton into a fully defined architectural form. With each stage, the vision of a modern rustic retreat has come closer to reality. |
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