Hoddles Creek Farmhouse

Hoddles Creek Farmhouse is a contemporary rural residence located within the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Set on a working cattle and truffle farm, the home is carefully positioned to capture expansive views towards the Warburton Ranges while responding to the natural contours of the surrounding landscape.

The architecture is conceived as a series of simple pavilion forms unified beneath a continuous undulating roof. Following the topography of the hillside, the roofline creates a strong connection between the building and the land, allowing the farmhouse to sit comfortably within its rural setting. Rather than dominating the site, the design is intended as an extension of the landscape itself, ensuring the surrounding environment remains the defining spatial experience.

A generous northern veranda wraps around the primary accommodation spaces, creating a sheltered threshold between interior and exterior living. This outdoor room provides passive solar protection, frames panoramic views across the property and supports a lifestyle centred on connection to the landscape. The arrangement of sleeping and living zones across separate pavilions balances privacy with opportunities for gathering and entertaining.

The farmhouse is anchored by a substantial stone plinth constructed from material sourced from a disused quarry on the property. This locally sourced stone grounds the architecture within its setting, while elevating key living spaces to optimise views across the Yarra Valley landscape. The off-grid residence is further defined by reclaimed timber cladding, reinforcing its connection to the agricultural character and environmental values of the site.

Internally, the kitchen acts as the social heart of the home and the central organising element of the main pavilion. Positioned to extend directly towards the veranda, it establishes a seamless relationship between food preparation, living spaces and outdoor gathering areas. This spatial arrangement strengthens the connection between everyday life and the surrounding rural environment.

Hoddles Creek Farmhouse demonstrates Alexandra Buchanan Architecture’s approach to contemporary rural architecture, combining sustainable design principles, locally sourced materials and site-responsive planning to create a home that is deeply connected to the Yarra Valley landscape and its agricultural setting.