Monaro living reimagined
Mount Cooper is a working cattle farm set within the rolling grasslands of the Monaro region in New South Wales. The project comprises a 190 sqm extension to an existing sandstone homestead, which has been carefully refurbished as part of the works.

Together, the new and old buildings are arranged to form a pair of linked courtyards—intimate, sheltered spaces that mediate between the home and its vast rural setting.
The extension provides expanded accommodation for the owners and their young family, balancing the functional needs of contemporary rural living with the enduring character of the original homestead. Constructed in traditionally laid, cement-bagged masonry beneath a pitched galvanized steel roof, the addition draws on the robust vernacular of the district while offering a quietly refined architectural expression.
Internally, the palette continues the theme of material honesty. Bagged brickwork remains exposed to perimeter walls, complemented by basalt bench-tops and outdoor paving that anchor the interiors within their garden and landscape setting. Extensive landscape works extend the architectural composition outward, establishing a series of outdoor rooms and pathways designed to frame and display an evolving collection of contemporary art.
The result is a cohesive and enduring ensemble—one that responds to place, celebrates craftsmanship, and reinforces the daily relationship between domestic life, art, and the landscape of the Monaro.








Details
- Client
- Private Clients
- Builder
- Bellevarde
- Structure
- Taylor Thompson Whitting
- Photographer
- Simon Whitbred, Simon Griffiths

