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Originally built in the 1970s, the elongated cream brick house came with considerable views over rolling hills—an expansive, elevated plot of more than 20,000 square metres, partially once used as a limestone quarry. While the home ticked many boxes in terms of space, the layout was less successful. The main bedroom lacked an ensuite, and the living areas faced pokey northern windows that failed to embrace the landscape. A formal entry sat underutilised, and the kitchen—located on the southern side—was disconnected from both light and outlook.
RUBI Architects reimagined the layout, opening up the floorplan and bringing together kitchen, dining, and living into one cohesive, fluid space. The northern elevation was reworked with generous glazing and built-in window seats that capture the views. The enclosed home office now connects to a new swimming pool and spa through large, glazed openings. An internal garden—one of RUBI’s hallmarks—adds a moment of calm in the heart of the house. The old kitchen was repurposed as a practical mudroom/laundry, while the new kitchen was placed on the northern edge to embrace the sun and scenery.
Visually, the house strikes a balance between old and new. At the rear, the original cream brickwork—too abundant to discard—has been respectfully retained, grounding the home in its history. In contrast, the front façade presents a refreshed face to the world: a smooth rendered masonry finish that brings a contemporary clarity and sense of arrival. This subtle dialogue between textures is further enriched by the timber pergola that gently wraps the building, softening edges and filtering light across both old and new surfaces.
A detached fifth bedroom with new ensuite was reworked to host family visiting from abroad, while a new carport addresses the way the owners actually use the home—arriving via a side entry.
This once-severe house has been transformed into a warm, contemporary rural retreat that reflects the lifestyle and values of its owners. The architectural vision was brought to life with precision and care by Fox Building Group, whose attention to detail and craftsmanship were instrumental in realising the design. The project reached completion in March 2025, a true collaboration between architect, builder, and client that now stands as a testament to thoughtful, considered rural living.
Architecture and Interiors by RUBI Architects
Town Planning by Urbankind
Engineering by YTTRUP
Built by Fox Building Group
Photography by Stephanie Rooney
Here at RUBI Architects, we’re a cohesive collective of passionate creatives. Working together with our individual skill sets and personalities – to respectfully listen, learn and to achieve the very best outcome with every project that crosses our desk.
The idea of home is changing faster than ever before.
No longer a sanctuary from the outside world, our homes are a place where all facets of life intersect. Work, study and personal lives occur under the one roof and, more than ever, we’re aware of our responsibility to the planet.
Even so, some things have not changed. The pleasure of self-expression through your home. The satisfaction of building with natural, honest materials. And the joy of feeling connected with your surrounds.
At RUBI, we design residences and multiresidential developments that will stand for generations. That means looking forward to the future, while still honouring the fundamentals that make home an inviting, human space.
We believe in great design ... but we're also realists (and that's a good thing)
That's why we have a hands-on directorial team with equal strengths in architecture and construction management. Their diversity of skills and global experience give you confidence you're receiving top-tier service from an approachable team. Alex and Antonio are with you for the life of your project, openly sharing their design and technical insights.
Great design is buildable design
Here’s the thing; good architecture does not need to be pretentious in complexity or novelty in order to be experiential. We believe good design balances sustainability, craftsmanship and the wellbeing of people. It prioritises locally sourced materials, flows with the rhythm of life and makes a positive contribution to a neighbourhood.
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