Set in the Gold Coast hinterland, Rivertree Farm sits in the foothills of the Scenic Rim; part of the World Heritage Gondwana rainforests – an ancient eco system  that once connected Australia with South America. This is an area of profound beauty and history.

Rivertree Farm is a Highland cattle farm run by Carl and Sarah following principles of permaculture.  An 1880’s Homestead sits on the site,  with a few old farm structures, including original timber and dairy sheds.  We were asked to manage the design of the site to incorporate a new attached home for Carl and Sarah to live in, allowing the homestead to be rented out for farm stay accommodation. In addition to this, short stay cabins, working farm buildings and the management of shelter, fencing and regeneration of the site as a place of natural beauty were required.

KGA teamed with Teresa Moller Landscape Studio in conjunction with Tarn Studio to deliver a comprehensive plan to transform the farm over a number of years.

The proposal takes a pathway of gentle repair, bringing back trees, regenerating the river bank and reorganising the workflow of the farm to work with the buildings and natural opportunities within the site.

The main building proposal is an ‘annexe’ – an extension to the Homestead that follows a contour around an existing Fig Tree to open up new north facing living spaces to the scenic rim beyond.  A verandah unfurls from the existing building, constructed from steel grating it creates an edge which filters the landscape.  Service spaces and working farm buildings sit to the rear of this linking verandah ensuring that the home and farm are intertwined.

Teresa Moller Landscape Studio and Tarn Studio designed interventions in the landscape to return it to nature from pasture and provide animals shelter and respite from the elements.  Built elements provide small moments to explore the farm and appreciate its beauty.