H U N T E R H O M E S

Story & Images Marilyn Collins

This residence on a Hunter farm was designed for busy empty nesters with a passion for alpacas by an architect and builder who

knew their preferred lifestyle.

Light Shade&

As seen in

MAGAZINE

Photo by C

herie Misson

S et amid 100 sprawling acres at Luskintyre is an architecturally designed residence featuring views from every window.

The ambience of the surrounding district no doubt inspired the name of the property, “Tranquil Vistas”, which is home to Newcastle specialist Dr Paul Thibault, his wife Deanne and their El Prado Alpaca Stud.

Surrounded by rural-lifestyle homes, the property is close to Luskintyre airport, frequented mostly at weekend by recreational �yers, owners of small private aircraft and passive ultralights.

Located 5 kilometres north-west of Lochinvar, the property

No matter the season or prevailing weather, there is always a space within

the house or in one of the courtyards for privacy and relaxation,

is surrounded by gently undulating low hills, predominately used as pasture land for grazing horses and the like. The district was originally settled and developed for dairy farming with cleared grazing land which well suited the owners’ desire to establish their breeding Alpaca Stud.

Dr and Deanne Thibault commenced their love affair with alpacas when they lived on their former 1 hectare property at Black Hill.

“You could say we are collectors of alpacas, as they are our passion,” said Deanne. “Our original two have grown into a �ock of 130 breeders and show alpacas that is always expanding.

“After relocating, we moved into the colonial-style residence established on the property and started to plan the building of our �nal home, which was designed to cater for our retirement whilst at the same time to simplify our living space.”

The only choice considered for the designing task was Mark Lawler of Seymour Lawler Architects, who had designed their two previous homes. He created a design along the lines the couple wanted – a residence mostly for two people with their own private space yet provision for a one-bedroom separate wing for visiting guests and family.

Contracted to build the home was Bruce Keevers of Bruce Keevers Building, who had built the couple’s former Black Hill residence and was held in high regard by the Thibaults for his quality workmanship.

The house had to be designed to provide protection from the strong westerly winds which prevail during winter (as evidenced on the day of my visit), the cold winter mornings and evenings and the long and hot summer days for which the district is known.

During the construction period, the couple lived in the original brick farm residence located at the front of the estate, which is now converted successfully into an established self-contained farm-stay residence.

A long, winding access road past the dams and paddocks of curious grazing alpacas gives �rst glimpse of the new residence sited on a plateau across a small valley from the existing residence.

From its lofty position it offers elevated district views in all directions.

From its lofty position it offers elevated district views in all directions.

The �nal design consists of four �at-roofed wings interspersed with three courtyards, built on a concrete slab. The covered entrance way leads to the front door and a three-car garage adjoins a guest wing on the far side.

Mark Lawler sited the residence to face north to maximize the advantage of his passive solar design and also to capitalise on the uninterrupted views over the rural landscape, the dam on the side of the property and neighbouring vineyard far beyond.

Despite being a blustery day, the home offered a cocooning warmth derived from the sun �ooding into the living space through the �oor-to-ceiling glass walls.

The external walls, constructed with timber studwork with rendered Hebel power panels, 75 millimetres thick, provide excellent insulation value and the light-coloured paintwork re�ects the heat.

The main living area, accessed via a private, tiled foyer, opens onto the living and dining space – an open-plan kitchen with connecting family room and built-in bar. This wing also provides access to a screened room which is an additional indoor-outdoor living and entertaining space.

The lounge room looks onto an enclosed, walled courtyard screened from the westerly winds by a glass-wall, 1.8 metre-high fence.

“Originally this space was to be a courtyard garden, however during the building process we decided to install a swimming pool surrounded by a paved entertaining barbecue area,” said Deanne.

“The pool provides a tranquil outlook from the southern side of the living area integrating the guest quarters with the main residence.”

The �oor coverings chosen are blackbutt timber throughout the lounge, hallways and bedrooms with tiles throughout the kitchenfamily room, and bathrooms.

Electrically operated blackout blinds can be drawn when required for privacy or to �lter bright sunlight.

Down the long hallway from the front entry are a wine cellar, laundry and open study leading to the owners’ private bedroom quarters.

Each has its own designated marble-tiled bathroom and a dressing room interconnected with the main glass-walled bedroom. Glass on one side takes in the views and the other side opens onto a protected, intimate, walled courtyard featuring a bronze tranquil water feature and gardens styled with an Asian in�uence.

No matter the season or prevailing weather, there is always a space within the house or in one of the courtyards for privacy and relaxation, which due to the couple’s busy professional life ,are somewhat of a treat.

With a Newcastle-based professional medical practice, Paul has a daily journey down town; however, his mornings require an early start to allow time to feed the alpacas.

Glass on one side takes in the views and the other side opens

onto a protected, intimate, walled

courtyard

Together with Deanne’s help, feeding takes one to one and a half hours before Paul begins the 50-minute drive to town.

Adding to the animal count on the farm is 30 black-headed Dorper Sheep. The Dorper sheep are hardy, fertile, fast-growing meat sheep, originally bred in South Africa but now being bred in Australia for Australian conditions.

“At weekends, we often see our guests relaxing in the farm stay over the way and we are busy with our tasks on the farm or heading off to show the alpacas around the State during the show season,” said Deanne. “This is something we gain much pleasure from.” Close by in the top home paddock are the prized show team which are known individually by name.

As there are no town water services to the property, water is collected from the roof line and stored in three underground

concrete tanks – each with a capacity of 35,000 gallons“The house design was intended to make best use of

the orientation and possibilities afforded by passive solar strategies,” said architect Mark Lawler. “This has been done by maximizing the glazing along the northern elevation of each wing of the house, which is protected by roof overhangs which exclude all summer sun but admit winter sun.”

The strong emphasis on indoor and outdoor entertaining areas ideally responds to both the site and the lifestyle requirements of the owners.

The Thibault’s residence is testament to the successful collaboration of their architect with the builder and the clients are delighted with their new home and the ease with which it came together.

Close by in the top home paddock

are the prized show team which are

known individually by name.