On the horizon
Perched on the side of a hinterland tourist route, this sleek, modern home pays deference to its spectacular setting. Bill and Misao Rogers wanted visitors to feel part of the environment in their home and guest cabins, set among towering gum trees and grazing kangaroos on their sprawling acreage in the Glass House Mountains. A picture-perfect spot, the couple scoured locations from Eden on the New South Wales south coast through to the Town of 1770 north of Bundaberg to find the right place to not only call home but also to establish luxurious cabins where city-ites could retreat from urban life.
Having already established a similar business in Jervis Bay, they decided to head inland and enjoy a tree change. Initially living in an old farm house on the site, which was once a mango farm, Bill explains he sought concepts for the one-bedroom cabins from three architects before picking Maleny-based building designer Norman Richards. “The brief said no Buddha statues here thank you,” Norman recalls. “We wanted modern with a wow factor and didn’t want anything cutesy, twee or in a traditional country style,” Bill adds. “When you have an incredible aspect the last thing you want is pokey windows.”
Looking to maximise the property’s striking views of Mt Coonowrin and Mt Beerwah, Norman says the concept behind the cabins was to create glass boxes that merged into the landscape. “The site and view are so powerful I wanted to play up the natural elements of earth fire, air and water. It was about taking architecture and making it mute,” he explains. Thrilled with the results, it didn’t take Bill and Misao long to commission a house in a similar style, albeit with a bit more room to move and an extra bedroom for guests.
Unlike the cabins, which are secluded behind a leafy ridge, the house was designed to sit alongside their roadside business, The Lookout Cafe (see page 14), yet was cleverly orientated so neither building overlooked the other. Built by Chris Hall, the sleek, compact house is stunningly simple with a service spine running along the south of the building and a ribbon of floor to ceiling glass along the north.
Industrial and utilitarian in its appearance, a dark steel portal structure matches the brooding tones of the mountains while inside, shades of black, tempered by timber and stone, add to the sophistication. “I tell my clients don’t fear the dark (paint), particularly in a house like this where there is so much glass, as there’s enough natural light to balance it,” Norman explains.
The central breezeway deck is a key feature of the home. It acts as an informal entrance to the guest wing to the west and the main section of the house to the east, which includes a combined kitchen, living and dining area, ensuited bedroom and office. Positioned in line with Mt Coonowrin, it creates a dramatic viewing platform, with a cut-out in the roof designed to maximise and frame the vista. “The hole works really well to draw in light and sun from the east and it also helps to break up the bulk of the roof to create the sense it’s floating,” Norman says.
Inside, the kitchen appears to slip out from a white wall, behind which a staircase leads down to utilities under the house. With a moody mix of Resene paint in Diesel, Foundry and Barbecue, all variations of black, it features semi-polished titanium granite benchtops and satin two-pac cabinets that conceal an integrated fridge and appliances. In the living area, joinery in Diesel tones and dark commercial bronze reflect the colours of the Glass House Mountains while clerestory windows draw the eye upwards and allow natural light to pour through.
Similar to the cabins, the home’s bedrooms are luxurious spaces with striking baths as the centrepiece. In the guest room a sunken spa by the window is thoroughly decadent, while in the main bedroom an iron claw foot bath over a bed of white stones, coupled with a pair of distressed white timber chairs, adds a sense of French chic to the contemporary lines.
Scooping the Building Designers’ Association national building design award for best custom designed home under 250sq m, the house is also a resounding hit with its owners. “It is our dream home,” Bill says. “I love the light and the feeling of space, and you are always faced with the view. It is very calming to watch kangaroos mulling around.” And while not everyone has the luxury of calling such a stunning place home, an overnight stay in one of the cabins is perhaps the next best thing.
INSIDER
Favourite spot
Misao On the deck in the afternoon watching the kangaroos, having a secret smoke and a chardonnay, thinking how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful area. Then the dream ends and I have to start the evening shift of making home-baked cakes and other goodies for our cafe.
Best feature
Bill The walls of glass that make you feel like you are standing on the deck of the USS Enterprise (from the Star Trek universe), except that instead of gazing out into space, you’re gazing out across a stunning vista of trees, mountains and wildlife.
Story: Kylie Jackes, weekender Issue 637, July 29th, 2010.
Perched on the side of a hinterland tourist route, this sleek, modern home pays deference to its spectacular setting. Bill and Misao Rogers wanted visitors to feel part of the environment in their home and guest cabins, set among towering gum trees and grazing kangaroos on their sprawling acreage in the Glass House Mountains. A picture-perfect spot, the couple scoured locations from Eden on the New South Wales south coast through to the Town of 1770 north of Bundaberg to find the right place to not only call home but also to establish luxurious cabins where city-ites could retreat from urban life.
Having already established a similar business in Jervis Bay, they decided to head inland and enjoy a tree change. Initially living in an old farm house on the site, which was once a mango farm, Bill explains he sought concepts for the one-bedroom cabins from three architects before picking Maleny-based building designer Norman Richards. “The brief said no Buddha statues here thank you,” Norman recalls. “We wanted modern with a wow factor and didn’t want anything cutesy, twee or in a traditional country style,” Bill adds. “When you have an incredible aspect the last thing you want is pokey windows.”
Looking to maximise the property’s striking views of Mt Coonowrin and Mt Beerwah, Norman says the concept behind the cabins was to create glass boxes that merged into the landscape. “The site and view are so powerful I wanted to play up the natural elements of earth fire, air and water. It was about taking architecture and making it mute,” he explains. Thrilled with the results, it didn’t take Bill and Misao long to commission a house in a similar style, albeit with a bit more room to move and an extra bedroom for guests.
Unlike the cabins, which are secluded behind a leafy ridge, the house was designed to sit alongside their roadside business, The Lookout Cafe (see page 14), yet was cleverly orientated so neither building overlooked the other. Built by Chris Hall, the sleek, compact house is stunningly simple with a service spine running along the south of the building and a ribbon of floor to ceiling glass along the north.
Industrial and utilitarian in its appearance, a dark steel portal structure matches the brooding tones of the mountains while inside, shades of black, tempered by timber and stone, add to the sophistication. “I tell my clients don’t fear the dark (paint), particularly in a house like this where there is so much glass, as there’s enough natural light to balance it,” Norman explains.
The central breezeway deck is a key feature of the home. It acts as an informal entrance to the guest wing to the west and the main section of the house to the east, which includes a combined kitchen, living and dining area, ensuited bedroom and office. Positioned in line with Mt Coonowrin, it creates a dramatic viewing platform, with a cut-out in the roof designed to maximise and frame the vista. “The hole works really well to draw in light and sun from the east and it also helps to break up the bulk of the roof to create the sense it’s floating,” Norman says.
Inside, the kitchen appears to slip out from a white wall, behind which a staircase leads down to utilities under the house. With a moody mix of Resene paint in Diesel, Foundry and Barbecue, all variations of black, it features semi-polished titanium granite benchtops and satin two-pac cabinets that conceal an integrated fridge and appliances. In the living area, joinery in Diesel tones and dark commercial bronze reflect the colours of the Glass House Mountains while clerestory windows draw the eye upwards and allow natural light to pour through.
Similar to the cabins, the home’s bedrooms are luxurious spaces with striking baths as the centrepiece. In the guest room a sunken spa by the window is thoroughly decadent, while in the main bedroom an iron claw foot bath over a bed of white stones, coupled with a pair of distressed white timber chairs, adds a sense of French chic to the contemporary lines.
Scooping the Building Designers’ Association national building design award for best custom designed home under 250sq m, the house is also a resounding hit with its owners. “It is our dream home,” Bill says. “I love the light and the feeling of space, and you are always faced with the view. It is very calming to watch kangaroos mulling around.” And while not everyone has the luxury of calling such a stunning place home, an overnight stay in one of the cabins is perhaps the next best thing.
INSIDER
Favourite spot
Misao On the deck in the afternoon watching the kangaroos, having a secret smoke and a chardonnay, thinking how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful area. Then the dream ends and I have to start the evening shift of making home-baked cakes and other goodies for our cafe.
Best feature
Bill The walls of glass that make you feel like you are standing on the deck of the USS Enterprise (from the Star Trek universe), except that instead of gazing out into space, you’re gazing out across a stunning vista of trees, mountains and wildlife.
Story: Kylie Jackes, weekender Issue 637, July 29th, 2010.
