Country Escape – Central Victoria Renovation by DKO

Immersed within an area famed for its granite stone, DKO’s Central Victoria Renovation uses a palette of simple materials –refined and elevated through a highly detailed rigour. DKO Director Koos de Keilzer and Clemence Harvey de Keilzer reimagine the early settlement form of the original structure into a uniquely crafted and tranquil haven.

Balancing the charm of country living with the elevated refinement of a more curated and European influence, the residence is instilled with a new purpose. Relocating from inner Melbourne and the tightly woven fabric of Collingwood to central Victoria, the owners were keen to align their own rhythm to one more influenced by the landscape. With expansive views out over the Pastoria Valley, the renovation and reworking of the existing stone structure is expanded to connect to the surrounds both internally and outwardly.

Balancing the charm of country living with the elevated refinement of a more curated and European influence, the residence is instilled with a new purpose.

Replanning the arrangement of the otherwise secluded series of spaces was key to creating an open and flowing family home that supported the way the owners wanted to live. An ambitious reconfiguration saw five existing rooms merge into an expansive living area that combines the dining room, kitchen and a large lounge and entertaining space. Encouraging views out to the valley in the distance, this re-orientation was crucial to bringing a unique connection to context into the everyday experience of the home. Sitting on a 40-hectare property, the home needed to balance the scale and ever-changing conditions of the site.

No longer the primary feature of the building’s make-up, the original stone of the structure shifts its function to an aesthetic capacity. Its presence is used to tie the eras of the home together and frames new apertures towards the surrounding landscape. The owners’ move to the country also marked a change in lifestyle. In engaging a more eco-friendly approach, the home runs on cooling and heating systems powered by natural forces rather than relying on environmentally impactful convenience. The clients also brought their personal collection of furniture, artwork, lighting and objects, resulting in the spaces feeling grounded and becoming a reflection of their previous chapters. It this weaving of time, people and place that the new character of the home emerges.

Replanning the arrangement of the otherwise secluded series of spaces was key to creating an open and flowing family home that supported the way the owners wanted to live.

Though the residence is configurated for its current occupation, a plan to extend and expand further is by no means ruled out. DKO Director Koos de Keilzer and Clemence Harvey de Keilzer see the new space as just the beginning of a personal passion project.