Banyandah is an Aboriginal word for ‘home on water’ – an apt name for this spectacular trophy home sitting on its own private lake in the picturesque Hunter Valley.
Emanating from a longing to connect the internal and external environments, this one-of-a-kind luxury home was designed by Shac architects and sits suspended over an immaculately landscaped body of water. Composed of a water and earth pavilion, the property is tethered together by an enclosed bridge link. The water pavilion levitates above the water on minimal support points, resembling a bird skimming on the water’s surface. The structure is made up of high-tensile steel and glass providing the building with a delicate transparency. In stark contrast, the buildings sited on land are solid rectangular forms representing a heavy connection with the earth.
The main entry to the property is via a gentle bridge which delivers you over a deep water channel straight to the upper level – dramatic, grand and unique. Stepping inside, a tall twisted roofline and walls made almost entirely of glass make for a living space bathed in natural light and a space which is intrinsically connected with its leafy surrounds. Solar-passive by design and with clever cross-ventilation, the property is incredibly easy to live in at any time of the year. A stunning modern kitchen with stone tops, European appliances and integrated whitegoods is the heart of the home and flows on to a large living space which spills to a huge outdoor entertaining deck over the water.
On the same level, the master suite, home office, substantial walk-in-robe and brand-new ensuite offer spectacular views over the water and through an established forest of birch trees. The main bedroom itself is generous in size and also opens to a private balcony which draws the eye outside to a beautifully landscaped shoreline. Another two bedrooms, study, brand new main bathroom and third powder room complete the one living level. The property is kept comfortable by reverse-cycle air conditioning and strategically positioned outdoor areas mean you can entertain and enjoy the surrounds whatever the prevailing breeze or sun position.
Downstairs, a gymnasium (complete with bathroom) opens to another huge undercover entertaining space which seems even more connected to the water. Also, the understory of the land pavilion is currently used as for holiday letting but could also make an ideal large home office, creative studio or teenage retreat. Completing the constructed improvements are a large double garage which stands separate again and yet another van, boat or storage shed which sits down by the driveway.
A fully-fenced kitchen garden with raised beds and orchard, cute hen-house and an amazing sandstone firepit weave a rural-thread into an otherwise zen-like tapestry. The grounds are inspired, immaculate and genuinely easy-care – now more an environment that looks after itself than a garden which needs tending to. Assisted by computerised irrigation systems and a storm water harvesting system, everything has been considered. Home to immense bird and aquatic life, Banyandah is an experience each and every time you are there: nesting turtles, busy ducklings or even just the water sheeting off the roof in a storm – this is a life less ordinary.
Inspection strictly by appointment.
AUCTION: Thursday, 12 November 2020 at 6pm (if not sold prior)
VENUE: In Rooms, 10 Allandale Road, Cessnock