The beauty of less.
Inside a Farmhouse Designed Around a Japanese-Inspired Courtyard
What makes a farmhouse different from a country house? MRTN Architects were tasked with designing a new home on a working sheep farm in Shady Creek, Victoria. Referencing the surrounding sheds in material, scale and tone, the result is a modern farmhouse that feels deeply rooted in its place.
Organised around a pinwheel plan, the house revolves around a central concrete column, with the kitchen, living, and dining areas connecting to a courtyard. Generous windows, timber detailing and recessed openings bring a softness to the otherwise rugged palette of corrugated iron and concrete. The courtyard, inspired by Japanese garden design, mediates between enclosure and openness.
Designed to support the day-to-day rhythm of farming life, the house becomes a kind of sanctuary. It is a place to come and go during the day, and a space to retreat into when the work is done.