After moving to the Hunter Valley from Sydney in 2017 the Maguire’s were looking for a community to call home. They found that in Shepherd’s Ground, an eco-community at Butterwick around 13 kilometers Northeast of Maitland. The community is situated on 270 acres of farmland at the bottom of the Paterson Valley. A total of 30 houses are planned for Shepherd’s Ground village with half already completed or under construction.
A masterplan with several home design options was completed by Greg Burgess and approved by Port Stephens Council in 2015. One of these designs formed the concept for Sally and Craig’s home and we reworked the layout to capture views to the South and West. A popped gable on the West end of the house proposed by the builder offers a reading nook and guest bedroom.
The home has a timber frame and hemp walls with the hemp grown and milled locally. The external walls are lime rendered and internal walls are left exposed. The ceiling is vaulted and clad with reclaimed custom orb.
The spaces are well proportioned, the materiality is definitively earthy and the home has strong links to the surrounding farmland. The hemp has performed well since installation and the home is a stable, comfortable temperature year round. This home is every bit a rural farm house and we love watching the surrounding permaculture gardens evolve.
To learn more about the sustainable features of this home and to look at plans, become a member of our community.
