Working on rural residential projects requires a degree of restraint from the architect’s hands; a simplicity and essentiality that eschews waste. Contemporary farmhouse Earth by the River, which provides family accommodation and a studio designed as a space for artists to create and share their works and foster a sense of community, was shaped by such an approach.

Built on the ancient volcanic slopes of Barrington Tops in the Hunter region of NSW, and nestled into the meander of a river on the fertile lands of the Gringai people, this finger-like expression of a modern farmhouse stretches gently towards the water, maximising the river views.

Each wing is anchored by a sturdy rammed earth base and crowned with a gabled metal roof. Externally, the wings are linked by lānai, open sided verandas of a traditional Hawaiian design that facilitate a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. This simple combination of standard materials and solid construction lends a crystallised impression of a group of tents erected around a campfire. The surrounding landscaping, including a courtyard and olive grove, contributes to an atmosphere of tranquillity and inspiration, and a short distance away the original farmhouse and outbuildings remain as ancillary barns, stores, and staff accommodation.

A significant factor that influenced the design of the building was the site’s high altitude. The elevated mountain position results in large fluctuations in temperature, and so rammed earth was a natural choice for the construction given its high thermal mass. The design also prioritises readily available materials of standard size in order to reduce transportation and improve the efficiency of the construction process. Each wing features a six-meter truss span, with roofs made of corrugated iron sheets, reminiscent of traditional shed construction. Though not traditional in rural Australian construction, the durable, rammed earth walls ground the building within the natural environment. Luigi Rosselli Architects has long promoted rammed earth as a construction material, transforming it from a fringe building material to one that is becoming increasingly mainstream. The firm favours it for qualities such as sustainability, low cost embodied carbon, humidity regulating properties, and visual calmness. This cost-effective build also aligns with the principles of the circular economy; the roof structure and flooring both employ recycled timber in their construction, and the standard-sized building components, and corrugated roofing can be repurposed or reused throughout their lifecycle.