Timeless Luxury Home in Oldbury Wins National Architecture Award
The Rural Building Co's Oldbury custom build, a modern expression of rustic character, has been celebrated for its deep connection to its surroundings and exceptional craftsmanship. This contemporary country home, completed in 2025, recently secured the Project Home award at the Housing Industry Association (HIA)'s 2025 HIA Perth Housing Awards, and is set to represent Western Australia at the 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards on the Gold Coast.
Design Philosophy and Client Vision
Principal Designer Robert Kirkovski explained that Oldbury was inspired by a desire to create a residence that feels grounded, expressive, and true to its landscape. The clients wanted a home celebrating natural materials, craftsmanship, and volume while remaining warm, liveable, and deeply personal, he said. The brief called for strong spatial drama on arrival, meaningful connections to the outdoors, and a design reflecting the clients' lifestyle, including their passion for music and entertaining.
A key ambition was to balance traditional rural character with modern detailing, ensuring the house feels timeless rather than trend-driven. This approach involved close collaboration between the designer, builder, engineers, and specialist trades to execute complex architectural elements without diluting design intent, Mr Kirkovski noted.
Architectural Features and Construction Details
The build duration reflected the complexity and high level of detailing involved, with features including:
- Exposed structural elements and large continuous polished concrete floors.
- Complex raking geometries, such as a dramatic 13m raked ceiling forming the spine of the house.
- Custom glue-laminated timber trusses and integrated timber detailing throughout.
- Full-height tiled entry walls that create a powerful first impression, framing sightlines to a stone-clad fireplace.
Builder processes refined through regional Western Australian projects ensured quality outcomes across alternative construction systems, including timber framing, Bushfire Attack Level compliance, and site-specific conditions. The team shared a clear objective: deliver the client's ambitions with precision, integrity, and craftsmanship, Mr Kirkovski emphasized.
Interior and Exterior Highlights
The finished product displays a classic Australian exterior with corrugated steel cladding and a verandah extending into a spacious alfresco area. Inside, immaculate interiors showcase both grand scale and natural finishes:
- The tall, slender entry expands into generous living areas, unified by exposed glue-laminated timber trusses that provide structure and visual warmth.
- Polished concrete floors run almost continuously throughout, grounding the space and reinforcing material honesty.
- Outstanding feature castellated timber cladding and integrated barn doors add texture and appeal.
Personalised elements, such as a music-inspired study ceiling, ensure the home reflects the clients' lifestyle while maintaining architectural cohesion. Further thoughtful details include external natural bush pole columns for support and a carefully curated native landscape.
Environmental Performance and Recognition
Environmentally, the residence performs strongly through timber framing, passive design principles, cross-ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and onsite wastewater treatment. Oldbury's meticulous construction and respect for its landscape led to its award win, highlighting its excellence in project home design. The home will compete nationally next month, showcasing Western Australian innovation in housing.
