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A home clad in Cemintel Barestone contrasted with the earthy irregularity of Wamberal stonework makes for an elegant and low maintenance 'forever' home for this couple.
The owners of this home did not have to look far for a site for their new home… just 100 metres from where they lived in Toowoomba Ranges. The new site was a steep block, with a stormwater easement running across the breadth of the property.
A modern, single-story house with large glass windows is situated on a landscaped property with lush green lawns and surrounding trees. The house has a unique stone facade section, and the setting appears serene, blending with the natural environment.
A modern house with large windows and a wooden awning is set amidst lush greenery. The landscaped lawn features a rock garden and leads to a deck with a railing overlooking the scenic view. Tall trees surround the property, creating a serene environment.
Having done several projects with the same architect and builder previously, they knew they had the right team to handle it.
As a ‘trying to retire’ couple, they wanted a ‘rest of their lives’ type home built on one level, easy to live in and easy to maintain, where they could showcase their artwork and sculpture collection throughout the property. The architect, the late John Simpson, designed a north facing pavilion style building with high ceilings, set into the sloping land. The bedrooms are at one end and living space at the other, anchored by a stone clad, double height entry tower.
The façade of the home is clad in Cemintel Barestone, recommended by the architect and admired by the owners for its aesthetic appeal and low maintenance. They liked the contemporary industrial, textured look of Barestone, which contrasts beautifully with the earthiness and irregularity of the Wamberal stonework in the entry tower, as well as in the pathway and swales of the landscaped gardens.
A modern house with large glass windows and doors is surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The exterior features a mix of concrete and stone walls. A spacious patio with outdoor furniture is visible at the front, overlooking a landscaped garden.
Modern house with large windows surrounded by landscaping features, including vertical rock sculptures, a manicured lawn, and gravel pathways. The exterior sports a mix of concrete, steel, and stone textures. Trees and greenery enhance the contemporary design.
“We found that really interesting”, says the owners. Barestone was always their first choice for the façade, and they played around with many different materials for the tower to find the perfect combination and, ultimately, match.
For the builder, Jeff Bubeck of Downs Designer Homes, all the spacing of the Barestone sheets was carefully planned to achieve clean lines. “With a steep block at street level… the house is visible on three sides, plus the roof, so whatever you build has to have clean lines.”
A modern, single-story house with large glass windows and a flat roof, set amidst lush greenery. The exterior is characterized by stone and concrete materials, with a landscaped garden and stone sculptures. Hills and trees surround the property in the background.
A modern, single-story building with a stone wall and large windows is surrounded by lush trees. The courtyard features sculptures, tall stones, and a variety of plants, creating a serene atmosphere. The building has a clean, minimalist design with a grey color palette.
Further to that, the team chose the fixed riveting method, rather than screws, to attach the cladding. The rivets are flush and colour coded to blend in, so your eye is drawn to the façade rather than the rivet. From a construction perspective, using Barestone means having only one trade for installation, which eliminates scheduling bricklayers, renderers and painters.
Jeff was also concerned with Toowoomba’s famous red soil staining the Barestone, so they did tests prior to construction to allay their concerns. Happily, it washed off easily. “The Barestone proved very easy to clean because it is pre-sealed and finished”.
A modern, single-story house with flat roofs and large glass windows surrounded by a landscaped garden with a mix of manicured lawns and natural rocks. The structure features a stone accent on one of its sections, situated in a lush, forested area.
A serene garden scene features a stone statue of a robed figure partially hidden behind a tree with green leaves. The background includes a building with stone and grey walls, with a tall stone monument placed close to the statue.
The owners and the builder have also been pleasantly surprised by how the texture and subtle colour variations of the Barestone have become more pronounced over time. “The more they age and weather, the better they look. The movement, the pattern tends to darken a little bit. The full potential isn’t seen when they are first put onto the frame.”
The owners are extremely pleased with the outcome. They stressed that it was a really happy project – for the architect, the builder Jeff and his team and all of the trades on site. They always felt they all wanted this home to be the best it could be.
“I think we achieved that. And I really have the feeling that this will be our last house”.
Project Credits
Architect: John Simpson
Builder: Downs Designer Homes
Instagram: @downs_designer_homes
Website: downsdesignerhomes.com.au
Landscape Architect: Sharon Bell, Design Instincts Landscape Architects
Photographer: Statik Illusions
Photographer: statikillusions.com
Instagram: @statikillusion
Modern house with stone and metal exterior, featuring a landscaped front yard. A wooden walkway leads to the entrance, lined with large stone sculptures. A tree and small plants adorn the garden. In the background, there is a three-car garage with a metal door.
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