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While Australia is famous for its sunny climate, sandy beaches and coastal homes, there’s a true sense of escapism that comes from heading away to a winter retreat, designed specifically for snowy conditions.
That’s because the distinctive style of alpine architecture makes you feel like you could be somewhere else entirely.
This new home in Victoria’s High Country is the perfect example.
Located in the historic town of Bright — a well-known base for exploring the peaks of Mount Buffalo National Park and Mount Hotham — the home reveals sweeping pitched rooflines, timber-clad interiors reminiscent of a European cabin, and windows that perfectly frame mountain views beyond.
It’s the ultimate getaway for a family of five, who made the bittersweet decision to replace their previous ‘draughty’ weatherboard cabin with a more sustainable home they could enjoy year-round.
After workshopping the initial concept with architect friends over a meal, the owners turned to JH Building and Design for the design and construction, engaging Imogen Pullar Architecture for the interiors.
Their vision mapped out the home’s two distinct wings, linked by a breezeway through the centre.
One pitched form accommodates the garage on the ground floor with a private main bedroom suite above. The breezeway provides entry and circulation space between this private zone and the main house, complete with additional bedrooms and open-plan living areas spilling out to a wraparound deck.
‘The house is a base for alpine adventures, whether it’s skiing, mountain bike riding or hiking,’ Imogen Pullar says.
‘There needed to be spaces to come into the house muddy, wet, covered in snow — to shed these layers and warm up (or cool down) quickly.’
The entry sequence accommodates for all of this. The garage has room for muddy bikes; the mud room stores skis and boots; and there’s a drying room and laundry for wet and dirty gear. From there, you step into the real retreat upstairs.
‘The brief for the interiors was to create warm spaces that, despite the large volume of space, made the rooms feel cosy,’ Imogen says.
‘Spotted gum ply panels provided the perfect solution for cost effective installation, and the beautiful rotary peeled veneer created a stunning grain pattern of wavy lines resembling flames.’
The cabinetry and ceiling is lined in the same veneer, each board a slightly different tone, forming a patchwork that envelops the interiors.
This defining feature is layered with natural hues and rich textures like cork flooring, plush green carpet, and plum-toned joinery, heavily inspired by the High Country’s scenic landscape.
‘Bright and the surrounding Ovens Valley is known for having the perfect climate for magnificent autumnal colours, where the trees turn bright red, yellow, and purply tones,’ Imogen adds.
‘For the concrete slab at ground level, local pebble mix was used as an exposed aggregate, and from these pebbles the rest of the interior palette extended from there,’ Imogen adds.
The best part is, the heartwarming home was designed to be enjoyed all year round.
Careful consideration has gone into the building’s envelope, insulation, windows and detailing to ensure the house is constructed to withstand both the brutally cold winters and the extremely hot summer climate.
Even the name of the project, Alpine Glow, is a homage to the home’s enchanting location: ‘It comes from the German word ‘alpenglow’, meaning the rosy light of the setting or rising sun seen on high mountains,’ Imogen explains.
When the sun shines through the skylights to hit the spotted gum walls inside, that same warm glow fills the house.
An edited version of this story originally appeared in The Design Files Magazine Issue 04. Subscribe to the biannual print magazine here.
