On a peaceful stretch of rural Australia, a simple idea has reshaped the way one property connects with its sweeping countryside. With a modest timber addition, Solomon Troup Architects have taken an existing home and helped it finally turn to face the views that were always there but somehow overlooked. What could have been just another extension instead becomes a space filled with warmth, purpose, and a gentle nod to the region’s history.
A Modest Timber Addition That Changes Everything
Solomon Troup Architects have designed a modest and modern wood addition to an existing dwelling on a large rural property. Though small in size, the new structure becomes the heart of the home, giving the older dwelling something it never truly had before a direct and intentional relationship with the countryside around it.
Shaped by the Region’s Old Shearing Sheds
The form of the new structure is inspired by the dilapidated timber shearing sheds scattered across the local area. These lean-to buildings, once practical farm necessities, guided both the shape and material of the addition.
The exterior is clad in spotted gum decking boards stained black to echo the weathered look of the sheds, giving the extension a rustic yet refined presence. As the timber naturally silvers over time, the resemblance to the historic farm structures will only deepen, grounding the design firmly in its rural setting.
Warm Silvertop Ash Interiors
Inside, silvertop ash lining boards bring warmth in contrast to the dark exterior. The lighter timber reinforces the feeling of a classic winter cabin, creating a cosy interior that feels welcoming year round. The material choice softens the structure and gives the open plan space a warm and natural glow.
A Large Open Room for Kitchen and Dining
The addition is designed as a single open room housing the kitchen and dining area. This arrangement keeps the new space simple, social, and connected, allowing everyday life to unfold with ease while taking in the views that define the setting.
A Gabled Form that Reflects the Existing House
The new structure features a gabled form that ties back to the pitched roofs of the original home, which was built from three former railway cottages. A generous opening links the addition to the sitting room and hallway, giving old and new a seamless connection.
Steel Doors that Frame the Hillside
Two large steel doors at the end of the addition transform with the seasons. In winter, they frame the undulating hills like a picture window. In summer, they swing open to extend the living space into the outdoors and make the most of the warm weather.
A Deck that Connects to a Brick Patio
Extending out from the dining area is a deck partially sheltered by the gabled roofline. This outdoor space leads down to a brick patio and becomes a natural gathering spot. It anchors the addition to the landscape and provides a gentle transition from interior warmth to open air.
A Helpful Look at the Layout
The floor plan shows how the original dwelling and the new addition fit together. The diagram highlights the flow between the existing rooms and the modern open plan space, making it easy to understand how the updated home now functions.
What began as a simple rural dwelling now feels ready for the landscape that surrounds it. With a modest timber addition, the home finally opens itself to the countryside, embracing fresh air, natural light, and quiet views that stretch for miles.
Photography by Tatjana Plitt | Architect: Solomon Troup Architects | Lead Architects: Lachlan Troup, Beth Solomon | Builder: Arc Design & Build | Structural Engineer: Colin McClelland & Associates
Source: Contemporist
