Hill House

Hill House is a new house on a vineyard, set amongst the vines.

Location: Merricks, Victoria, Australia
Building type: Residential
Completed: 2006
Site area: 52 acres
Building area: 330sqm
Occupants: 2 – 6
Living areas: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Design team: Warwick Mihaly, Erica Slocombe
Builder: Rob Gaffney Constructions
Photographer: Emma Cross

Sustainability Awards, new residential category, first prize
World Architecture News, residential category, longlisted

We designed it to feel cosy when occupied only by our clients and their golden retriever, yet spacious during frequent visits from family and friends. It caters to our clients’ passions, with a generous kitchen for Ruth (the chef), and an equally generous wine cellar for George (the collector). It establishes a strong connection between indoor rooms and the natural environment, admitting natural light, cooling breezes and sweeping views through expansive northern windows.

The house has a close to zero energy demand. It uses locally sourced and recycled materials, and provides excellent passive solar design performance. Soon after it was built, Victoria was hit by a 1 in 100 year heatwave. Despite five successive days of temperatures greater than 40 degrees, Hill House stayed cool and comfortable throughout.

“We were absolutely delighted with the experience of designing our house with Mihaly Slocombe.”

“The project is true to the importance we place on environmental sustainability, aesthetics and the clever use of amenity.”

“The integrity of the creative design is a source of enduring pleasure to us.”