Step inside this classic architectural delight just outside of Canberra

Typically, the town of Murrumbateman conjures up images of quaint cottages and country estates. It’s not often that you’d be met with something externally rigid and internally structural.

I want to say the home at 1 Middle Street stands out because it’s so different to its neighbours. But the truth is, it melts beautifully into its surroundings of towering cedars and eucalypts, which cast glorious afternoon shadows on the soaring brick facade.

Dubbed Stornoway, the home was commissioned from Canberra architect, Laurie Virr, whose work in large-scale engineering of bridges and water storage reservoirs has likely influenced this home.

It also maintains all the passive design features Virr is well known for. Under the principle of following the sun, the home unfolds around a central courtyard, heroed by a stunning reflection pond that embraces the native garden and grounds laid out by the acclaimed Sydney garden designer, Peter Fudge.

The main rooms of the house either look out or connect through double doors to the courtyard for maximum enjoyment of this outdoor room. An open fireplace lures people into its warm embrace as the sun goes down.

Currently, the configuration of the home is three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study. However, the floor plan is cleverly flexible, with options to turn rooms into offices or studies into bedrooms. Notably, the office – with access to the upstairs bedroom and en suite bathroom – has the potential to become a guest studio or separate apartment with a private entrance.

Agent Marcus Lloyd-Jones of Modern House says simple pleasures make this house a joy every day. “Light, shadows, reflected water, cooling breezes and warming sun. All the benefits of intelligent design in a private setting, only 30 minutes from Canberra,” he says.

“Completed in 1999 by one of Australia’s pioneers of organic architecture, the house is everything one could ask for with high energy prices and climate change.”

Located in the doorway to the wine region, Murrumbateman is surrounded by the best cool climate wineries in the country. Living here will allow you to explore cellar door and vineyard restaurants, dotted amongst beautiful natural surrounds of scribbly gums and winding creeks.

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