A novel approach

Demolishing a series of rundown agricultural buildings created space for David and Simone Horn to build their oak frame home in the style of a Dutch barn

- Rebecca Foster

Building a house from scratch was a goal David and Simone Horn had dreamt about for the best part of two decades. Yet it wasn't until 2019 that the couple finally realised their vision of a bespoke family home. The couple previously lived in a 1990s developer-built house close to Malvern. "We knew we could be living in something better, which ultimately culminated into our desire to self-build," remembers David.

Keen to remain in the area, David and Simone kept their eyes peeled for plots. Finally, in 2013 they noticed an advertisement for an open day at a local farm that was up for sale. "I came on a Saturday and I remember phoning David and telling him that this was the one - we had to make it happen!" says Simone.

Though the land was overgrown with brambles and housed several dilapidated agricultural buildings, the couple recognised its potential. The farm came with roughly 15 acres spread across three five-acre paddocks. "It's off the main road down a track, so you'd barely know we're here," says David. Plus, only one side of the plot backed onto any neighbouring houses, which meant it had a stunning rural outlook on three sides.