The Barnhouse

This five bedroom home, set on two hectares of rugged bushland has been described as a rustic mansion. The client’s brief was for a home that was indestructible and would stand the test of time.

Reclaimed bridge timbers make up the portal frame of this barn-like house. There was 1½ semi-trailer load’s of these bridge timbers, which took months of cleaning and cutting preparation work to create. They required 20mm bolts and multiple custom made steel ‘T’ brackets to hold them together.

The house has been clad in profiled ironbark boards that had to be marked out from top to bottom to ensure screw lines were centred and in line as they were being left exposed. The gutters, downpipes and roofing materials sit snugly against the house making sure it’s rustic outline remains clean and uncluttered. While the slim full length windows on the upper and lower levels allow natural light to stream in, and the louvred windows allow for cross-ventilation.

Internally, the recycled bridge timbers, which had to be craned into position, remain exposed to enhance the feeling of strength, along with the polished, coloured concrete floor (that has underfloor heating). Upstairs a walkway with thick, livestock strength wire overlooks an enormous light filled void.

This house required many hours of building work and intricate craftsmanship, but was worth every second of it. A very rewarding project.