A meeting of 19th century farmhouse and 21st century architecture

A unique residential space where history and modernity coexist has been completed on the Monaro Plateau near Canberra, Australia. Rodney Moss & Josh Mulford Architects collaborated with Sally Hieatt Interiors to restore a stone farmhouse built in the late 19th century and add a modern steel pavilion to it.

This project, named 'Monaro Plateau Homestead', goes beyond simple expansion and pursues a harmony between preservation of historical buildings and modern architecture. Structural engineer Ken Murta and contractor Mark Lauder participated to design the existing farmhouse and new pavilion to function as a unified living space.

Separation and connection of space

The newly constructed pavilion is a lightweight steel frame structure that houses the main living area and master bedroom. The service area was finished with precast concrete panels to complement the texture and sturdiness of the original stone building.

Bedrooms for children and guests were placed inside the restored stone farmhouse. Through this, public space and private space are clearly distinguished. The two buildings are connected by a large sliding wood-framed glass door, allowing a panoramic view of the rugged scenery of the Monaro Plateau from the inside.

Sustainable design for extreme environments

The pavilion has adopted a natural ventilation strategy to cope with the extreme climate conditions of inland Australia. By introducing cool wind into the room, a comfortable indoor temperature is maintained without the need for additional mechanical equipment.

Rainwater is collected from the roof and used as domestic water, and an integrated wastewater treatment system is installed to operate its own circulation system on site. This building, with its primitive yet industrial expression, is regarded as a durable architectural answer rooted in Australia's rural environment.

Modern rural architecture in historical context

The Monaro Plateau is a highland area located in the southeastern part of New South Wales, Australia, and has developed into a center of livestock farming since the 19th century. The remaining stone farmhouses in this area are a cultural heritage that shows the architectural style of early European settlers.

Recently, in the Australian architectural community, the approach of restoring historical buildings and combining them with modern elements rather than indiscriminately demolishing them has been attracting attention. The Monaro Plateau Homestead is an example of respecting the architectural heritage of the past while meeting the lifestyles of modern families and their needs for sustainability, and represents a new direction for architecture in rural areas.