“HILLTOP HOOD” - YARRA VALLEY, VICTORIA

Perched in Victoria's Yarra Valley, Gruyere farmhouse, a testament to a five-year journey overcoming planning challenges, a pandemic, and harsh weather, reflects close collaboration between architects, consultants, builders, and clients. Set on a 100-acre property, it seamlessly integrates into the hillside, influenced by clients' intimate knowledge from a self-contained cabin. The design features a courtyard framing breathtaking views and an iconic "Hilltop Hood" roof protecting the lighter-framed living pavilion.

Strategic material choices harmonize the farmhouse with its surroundings, including mature orchards preserving view lines. The secluded courtyard offers protected amenities, embodying a blueprint celebrating harmony between design and challenging weather patterns.

Working with Tony and the Rachcoff Vella team was a delight from ideation, design, build and now the reality of living in our new house.  Tony really listened to us, what we wanted and how we wanted to live. It is a real testamount to his skills that not only do we have a beautiful and functional home but when people visit the words they use to describe the house echo exactly the design brief. 

 As with all builds challenges crop up and throughout the RV team were fantastic, whether tweaking designs to get council approval, selecting the right builder or managing the build process. They had great attention to detail making a remote build manageable and dare I say it "a dream".  Now, 12 months living in our house, barely a day goes by where we don't feel incredibly special to live in such a wonderful creation”.

Matt Claughton & Leanne Calvitto - Gruyere

The design process considered the challenging topography of the 100-acre property, addressing site access, services, and material transportation and the client's specific preferences. The design seamlessly integrates into the Gruyere hillside, and carefully placing built forms to create a protected courtyard with three distinct wings, defining a functional program guided by materials that echo the natural geology and soil colours on-site and the broader Yarra Ranges context.