Six Acres
In tune with the spirit of its agricultural past, Six Acres by ESTUDIOmotif is a concise assemblage of simple forms that embrace a lifetime of cherished art and objects.
On the fringe of the small town of Berry in rural New South Wales, a humble worker’s cottage is reimagined as a contemporary family home brimming with a collection of cherished art and memories. Set on a subdivided country plot, the architecture recollects its storied farming history while responding to the needs of an active modern lifestyle.
Presenting as a calming rear addition, Six Acres by ESTUDIOmotif is a fitting addendum to an established abode – precisely restrained and markedly quiet upon a generous parcel of land. “The design preserves the home’s historic character while providing expanded, functional spaces, establishing a clear and respectful dialogue between old and new within its rural setting,” explains architect and practice director Emanuele Rattazzi. An escape from the trappings of big city life, the residence affords the luxury of open space for retreat and introspection for the professional couple who reside here. Rustic tactility sheaths the home in the familial warmth of the established structure, as modern surfaces inject a pristine backdrop for precious keepsakes.
Comprising three distinct personalities, the interlinked architecture deploys a spatial hierarchy that moves between enclosure and openness. “The design plays with different volumes and materiality,” notes Rattazzi. “Bedrooms and bathrooms remain within the original 1912 cottage, preserving its intimate, domestic character, while the new extension accommodates living areas, dining and kitchen spaces.” A low-slung middle section graciously preserves neighbouring views and allows the original form to breathe – camouflaged by a planted roof that dissolves the overall mass of the dwelling.
Charred cypress pine cloaks the outer skin of the living domain in an ode to the vernacular barn – further referenced through an unbroken internal datum that highlights the vaulted roofline. Resurrected timber floors echo the contours of V-groove linings as an honest expression of the original construction, amid reinstated fireplace mantels, hearths and trims. Over the communal kitchen and dining sphere, a rhythmic array of off-white rafters captures the fluid beauty of light and shadow atop a natural palette of pale oak cabinetry and leathered granite countertops. “This combination creates a serene, cohesive and refined environment, allowing both the heritage cottage and contemporary extension to coexist harmoniously,” explains Rattazzi.
The north-facing dwelling is positioned for maximum daylight both inside and out, while operable glazing offers natural ventilation beneath a protective steel plate eave that wraps the rear addition. Outdoor zones pepper the sprawling site between clusters of cottage garden species. Neatly aligned to the interior experience, an offset pergola, alfresco kitchen and fire pit respond to the temperate climate that defines this region. “The landscape design is integral to the architectural concept, conceived as a quiet, immersive setting that reinforces the home’s sense of retreat,” concludes Rattazzi.
Building on the framework of an agricultural setting, Six Acres is a peaceful place imbued in quiet escapism. Akin to an ad hoc assemblage of simple farm outposts, the dwelling is a celebration of modesty and ease in response to a vast locale – an enduring architecture enriched by craft and honesty.
Architecture, interior and landscape design by ESTUDIOmotif. Build by Buildfest in collaboration with Basalt Building Projects.
