Goldfields Dwelling
Set within the bushland of Chewton in regional Victoria, Goldfields Dwelling by DesignOffice sits with great ease in its landscape, adapting to the terrain.
Designed by practice co-founder Mark Simpson for himself and his partner as a weekender, the project distills years of architectural thinking into a single, compact gesture that balances clarity with intimacy. The house occupies the footprint of a former shed on what was once a larger lot. “We wanted to make as few changes as possible,” Mark explains. “This part of the site was already clear and relatively flat, and being nestled into the slope gives two distinct aspects from inside.” The plan follows the natural topography, with subtle changes in level responding directly to the rock beneath.
Clad in grey shingles, the house takes its cues from the utilitarian outbuildings scattered throughout the area. “We wanted it to be simple and contemporary, but still contextual,” Mark says. Wrapping the roof and walls in the same material establishes a unified form, while the shingles’ soft grey and ochre tones reflect the muted palette of the surrounding bush. The resulting volume is modest and geometric, sitting easily within the native vegetation.
Inside, a pared-back approach shapes spaces that feel generous and measured. A warm white interior lining and a series of controlled datums define the architecture, while oak joinery and textured tiles add warmth and depth. Light enters through deliberate apertures, illuminating surfaces with a very calming precision. “We wanted to create a sense of generosity within a small footprint,” Mark notes. “It’s calm and effortless, a backdrop that allows art, food and everyday life to add colour.”
The compact plan accommodates one bedroom, a loft with an additional bed, and a sunken conversation pit that doubles as guest sleeping space. An open kitchen and dining area form the heart of the home, designed around shared meals and lingering afternoons with friends.
The landscape, conceived with Sam Cox, further grounds the building. Working with the existing rock and indigenous species, Cox’s approach softens the geometry of the house and reinforces its connection to place. “The lack of geometric rigour in Sam’s approach balances perfectly with the precision of the house,” Mark reflects. “It’s a big part of why the building feels so settled here.”
Reflecting on the process, Mark adds, “We spent quite a bit of time in the first year just sitting on the land and working out where the light came from and how this made us feel at different times of the day. This process of giving yourself time to sit with a site, or the existing fabric, is definitely something that takes time and brings rewards.”
Architecture by DesignOffice. Landscape design by Sam Cox Landscape and Tim Pilgrim.
