Header: Dan Preston
In the picturesque Australian city of Albury, New South Wales, a home designed by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors shows how a building can be both a powerful statement and a natural part of the landscape. The Hillside Residence, completed in late 2023, is an architectural marvel that sits above a steep, leafy garden, offering breathtaking views of the local Botanic Gardens. It’s a perfect example of designer Rob Mills’ philosophy:
“The more dramatic the land, the more dramatic the architecture; they go hand in hand.”
Creating a home that is both a piece of art and a place of comfort was so successful that it was also officially recognized when it received the SIT Award for Residential Design.
A building that reaches for the trees
The home’s design is a direct response to the steep site. It has an organic, tapered shape that is nestled into the hillside on one end and stretches out into the treetops on the other. This creates the amazing feeling of floating among the trees. The building’s long, cantilevered terrace does more than just look good; it’s a smart design feature. It provides shade to the level below, which helps keep the home cool during hot Australian summers and cuts down on the need for air conditioning.
A palette inspired by the gardens
Inside, the connection to the surrounding gardens is immediate. The material choices are all about warmth, nature, and texture. Ceilings lined with natural American oak give the large, open spaces a cozy and inviting feel. The interior is a rich layering of textures and colors, seen in the stunning quartzite chosen for the kitchen benchtop and splashback and the special onyx that elevates the main ensuite bathroom. In the bedrooms, soft, undyed yak wool carpet adds a layer of quiet comfort.
The rooms are filled with high-quality Australian and Italian furniture that is elegant but not showy. The focus is on effortless enjoyment, with the owners’ exceptional collection of art by Australian and Indigenous artists providing points of interest throughout the home.
Spaces for living and focus
The layout was planned for comfortable, long-term living. Most of the action happens on a single level, with secondary bedrooms and a wine cellar below, connected by a sculptural stair and an elevator. A study sits at the heart of the home, designed as a quiet place for focus with acoustic separation and glazed steel frame doors that still offer views into the main living areas. For ultimate privacy, the master bedroom suite is housed in its own separate pavilion. It’s a house designed not just for looks, but for the real rhythms of family and work life.
Project info
Company/Firm: Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors
Designer: Rob Mills
Construction Company: Joss Construction
Photo Credit: Dan Preston
Location: Albury, NSW
Project Date: 1st November 2023
