Kyneton House by John Wardle Architects

“The only piece of joinery that strays from rectilinear simplicity is a unit surrounding a wood-fired heater. This centre piece to the living area acts as an explanatory maquette for the house.” John Wardle

On a vineyard in country Victoria, this house has a simple plan, and a complex roof. The roof creates a silhouette, a geometric landscape floating within the expansive rural setting. Once inside, floor to ceiling glass connects the main living space with the landscape. The floating roof defines this space. Other- wise flat, it is cut and folded up to form skylights, or cut and folded down to create shade to the north. The incised plane hovers above the roof level of the rest of the house, the gap between ceiling and walls made up with glass.

The plan is a straightforward division into three rectangular zones, or pavilions. The approach is from a long driveway that winds around the back to a rear courtyard. This contemplative space creates a pause before a view of tree-covered hills to the north is revealed on entry. Only a narrow vertical slot in the blank wall gives a preview glimpse, like a core-sample of the view.

Architect : John Wardle Architects
Category : Residential
Date Completed : 2007
Photography : Trevor Mein