Like a Miesian pavilion, this retreat house in the NSW Southern Highlands touches ground lightly, with fine steel pillars and vast sliding glass panes that bring the landscape of this sprawling hillside acreage into the foreground.

Arranged around a central courtyard that separates bedrooms and private zones from the congregational spaces, it’s wings are anchored to the site with walls of rammed earth and local stone. The natural site contours are cleverly used to embed a luxurious swimming pool and spa facility accessed via underground tunnel, promising a memorable experience for visitors.

Climate sensitive design includes double glazed windows, a high thermal mass from the earth and stone walls, geo-thermal heating and cooling, solar power generation and rainwater harvesting — all reducing resource and energy consumption.