Johnstons Cottage

Cattai NSW 2023

Originally built circa 1915 for James Henry Johnston and his wife Ada Jane Greathead, Johnston’s Cottage is one of five heritage listed sandstone homesteads situated a stones throw to the Hawkesbury River in Cattai NSW. Constructed using sandstone blocks quarried on the property and painstakingly sparrow pecked, the home presents as a ‘‘fine example of transitional Victorian farmhouse to Queen Anne influenced Federation style Homestead.’’_Paul Davies Pty Ltd

We inherited the project after a previous architect had completed the concept and development approvals stage. Our role included developing the design for construction including material selections and detailing, comprehensive construction documentation, minor consent modifications, interior design and construction administration and oversight.

The project included complete restoration of the existing cottage, converting it into the private bedroom wing as well as a new contemporary extension to the west that would become the main living, master suite and utilities. The brief for the extension, as we interpreted it, was to continue the narrative of the original homestead.

Sandstone dust sourced from local quarries was used to construct thick rammed earth walls, a sympathethic nod to the original sandstone blocks. Grey ironbark, a species endemic to the locality, was elected as a rough sawn shiplap board to adorn the remaining facades. Both materials, left in their raw state, will age gracefully as they continue to provide the humble backdrop to the abundance of native snakes, birds and wallabies persistent on maintaining this space as a shared habitat. Subtle and simplistic ‘farmyard construction’ detailing used to connect and finish this palette ensures a fittingly familiar rural presence is always close.

From the outset, the owners J and J were incredibly conscious of sourcing materials form local suppliers using locally sourced materials and manufacturing. If Australian made was a building, this wouldn’t be far off.

Project Team

Architecture & Interiors_Douglas McNamara, Nikita Chaudhary