Earth by the River: A Contemporary Farmhouse Rooted in Landscape

Designing for rural settings demands a level of restraint—an ability to respond with simplicity, essentiality, and respect for the land. Earth by the River, a contemporary farmhouse by Luigi Rosselli Architects, embodies this principle. Conceived as both a family residence and an artist’s studio, it serves as a place of living, creating, and sharing—anchoring community while remaining deeply connected to its environment.

Connection to Place

The project is situated on the ancient volcanic slopes of Barrington Tops in New South Wales, within the fertile valley lands of the Gringai people. Nestled within a river’s meander, the long, finger-like form of the house gently extends toward the water. This orientation maximizes views while grounding the residence in the rhythms of its natural surroundings.

The design embraces both the cultural heritage of the land and the practical realities of its high-altitude climate. The mountainous position brings significant temperature fluctuations, which in turn shaped the architectural response.

Form and Materiality

The farmhouse is composed of two elongated wings, each anchored by a robust rammed earth base and capped with pitched metal roofs. Between them, a series of lânai verandas—a Hawaiian typology of open-sided covered spaces—create transitions that blur the line between indoors and outdoors. This composition recalls the image of tents gathered around a campfire, simple in form yet rich in atmosphere.

Externally, the project reads as a cluster of durable, elemental forms. Internally, it balances the demands of a private residence with communal, flexible spaces that support artistic production and exchange.

Rammed Earth: Tradition Reinterpreted

The choice of rammed earth was central to the project’s sustainability strategy. The material’s high thermal mass regulates interior temperatures, a vital quality in an environment where heat and cold shift dramatically. Beyond performance, rammed earth also delivers tactile richness, grounding the house in its setting with a sense of permanence and calm.

Luigi Rosselli Architects has long championed rammed earth, helping to move it from the periphery of Australian construction toward mainstream use. For the studio, the material’s value lies in more than sustainability—it also embodies low embodied carbon, humidity regulation, and visual serenity.

Efficiency and Sustainability

Simplicity underpins the construction methodology. Materials were sourced in standard sizes, minimizing waste and transportation impacts. Each wing employs a six-metres truss span, with corrugated iron sheeting recalling the vernacular of rural sheds. The result is an efficient, cost-conscious build that does not compromise on character.

The project also embodies principles of the circular economy. The roof structure and flooring are constructed from recycled timber, while many of the components—corrugated metal sheets, trusses, and joinery—are designed for future reuse or repurposing. This approach acknowledges the changing life cycles of rural buildings while reducing long-term environmental impact.

Landscape and Community

Surrounding the house, carefully curated landscaping amplifies its connection to nature. An olive grove, a sheltered courtyard, and pathways link the residence to its setting, encouraging reflection and outdoor living. Nearby, the original farmhouse and outbuildings remain intact, repurposed as barns, storage, and staff accommodation, ensuring continuity between past and present.

By combining new architecture with the legacy of existing rural structures, the project avoids isolation, instead weaving itself into the fabric of working agricultural life.

A Rural Landmark of Restraint

At its core, Earth by the River demonstrates that architecture in rural landscapes should avoid spectacle. Its value lies in restraint, material honesty, and a commitment to sustainability. The project stands not as a monumental object but as a thoughtful companion to the land, designed to endure both in function and in spirit.

Through this balance of tradition, innovation, and ecological awareness, Luigi Rosselli Architects has crafted a contemporary farmhouse that honors its environment, fosters artistic community, and contributes to the evolving narrative of sustainable rural design.