From the architect:

Middle Dural House by Andrew Donaldson Architecture & Design (ADAD) is a rural residence outside Sydney that reimagines barn archetypes as sleek minimalism, realised through sustainable cross-laminated timber (CLT).

The architectural approach centres on siting the home along key natural contours, allowing its forms to either slip past or launch freely toward spectacular views.

Inspired by the client’s vision of peaked barn-like structures, the design echoes his European roots and generational craftsmanship in timber construction.

The project embodies design excellence, ecological stewardship, and European craft lineage, expressed in a sequence of sculptural pavilions embedded in the landscape.

Materially, the house favours a palette of durability and tactility: shou sugi ban charred ironbark and black steel form a robust exterior, while inside, Victorian Ash CLT portals, Tasmanian Oak ceilings, and bespoke timber joinery bring warmth and craft.

Travertine floors and heated concrete slabs enrich the interior experience, complemented by high-performance glazing. Off-grid systems, such as solar generation, rainwater harvesting, and on-site treatment, ensure sustainable autonomy.

The design follows natural contours, inscribing glass-lined walkways that connect wings like a necklace across the escarpment. Courtyards, a billabong-like pool, and firepit gatherings extend the architecture outward, framing dramatic views while nurturing intimate family life.

Crafted for a master builder and his son, the house is both deeply personal and environmentally experimental, with staged CLT construction refining each pavilion over time.

Anchored low within its escarpment setting, and quietly resisting the ostentation of surrounding suburban mansions, the home demonstrates resilience, innovation, and poetic restraint.

It exemplifies how contemporary Australian architecture can weave ecology, craftsmanship, and cultural lineage into a self-sufficient, enduring family home.

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