Earth by The River by Luigi Rosselli Architects
Set within a meander of the Allyn River on Barrington Tops in Allynbrook, Australia, Earth by The River is a house designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects in 2024. The design features distinct extensions linked by open-sided verandas that incorporate solid rammed earth construction, promoting sustainability and low embodied carbon.
About Earth by The River
Distinct Extensions Reach Towards the River
Set within a meander of the Allyn River on Barrington Tops, Earth by the River features five distinct extensions reaching towards the river, maximising water views. Each wing is anchored by a sturdy rammed earth base and crowned with a rolled gabled roof. Externally, the wings are linked by lānai, open-sided verandas hosting expansive outdoor rooms. This blend of local materials and solid construction harmonises the new home with its environment, while the original farmhouse and outbuildings remain as ancillary barns, stores, and staff accommodation.
Art Studio Designed to Foster Community and Creativity
A key feature is an art studio designed to foster community and creativity. The surrounding outdoor areas, including a landscaped courtyard and olive grove, contribute to tranquillity and inspiration.
Clever Structural and Hydraulic Engineering Solutions
The building’s habitable floor levels are above the Flood Planning Level (FPL) to address flooding risks, using clever structural and hydraulic engineering solutions. The high altitude, causing temperature fluctuations, made rammed earth a natural choice for its high thermal mass.
Prioritising Readily Available Materials
The design prioritises readily available materials and standard sizes to reduce transportation and improve construction efficiency. Each wing has a six-metre truss span with roofs of corrugated iron sheets. Luigi Rosselli Architects promote rammed earth for its sustainability, low embodied carbon, low water use, non-toxic nature, humidity regulation, and visual calmness. The construction aligns with circular economy principles, using recycled timber and repurposable components.
Minimising Environmental Impact
The design minimises environmental impact with external blinds controlling thermal mass, natural ventilation, and solar power generation from the rolled roofs’ photovoltaic panels. The property’s water supply and sewer waste are self-contained, potentially making the house entirely off-grid. A large stormwater catchment, garden river water supply, and bio-water depuration fertilise the paddocks of this working farm.
Photography by Piers Haskard, Edward Birch
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