Project: Hill Cottage
Architecture: Cumulus Studio
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Year: 2021
Photo Credits: Anjie Blair
A comfortable split-level home, on the edge of a working family farm, in the foothills of Tasmania’s Great Western Tiers.
Situated on a slight rise and nestled in a wooded part of the property, Hill Cottage was conceived as a modern ‘manager’s cottage’. The owners approached us to create a home that would cater to the needs of life on a busy farm while still offering a warm space that could be easily extended to accommodate a growing family in the future.
Simple, practical, considered
The skewed roofline follows the gentle slope of the hill, allowing the open living space of its northern end to enjoy both abundant sunlight and sweeping views while giving the southern bedrooms a sense of privacy and warmth. The muted metal exterior, wrapped around the home’s locally sourced stone plinth, complements the landscape’s natural palette and echoes the working aspects of the farm — its machinery and sheds.
Midway along the eastern side, a covered entry into the house acts both as a practical ‘workers entrance’ and a calm transition from the farm to the home.
A lasting design for a bush setting
Working to a modest budget, and in close collaboration with the owners, we selected a series of simple yet refined materials to complement the modest narrative of Hill House — flexible for future extensions, durable against the region’s harsh weather, bushfire resistant, and wildlife-proof.
