12-28 Forest Glen Road

Woodford NSW 2778

Located at 12 Forest Glen Road, Woodford and built c.1979, this freestanding house has strong connections to the organic principles employed by the influential architect Walter Burley Griffin, who famously designed Canberra and Castlecrag, also the NSW towns of Leeton andGriffith - he espoused that one should honour the Australian bush and live with empathy to a pristine environment.

The original owners, the Mortons, were inspired by their early connections to Castlecrag and Walter Burley Griffin himself, to build a house that does not intrude on the natural environment. They built around special trees and mass planted native trees and bushes to attract local bird-life. Few houses can claim to have had lyrebirds nesting on the roof.

The house has been described as simply, putting four walls around a beautiful place. This simplifies the complexity of the build but describes the outcome perfectly.

The green roof structure surrounds a central atrium that draws light throughout the house and provides further connection to landscape and sky from all principal rooms. Externally, the concrete structure is infilled with clay bricks and internally, the dividing walls are also made from the 8,000 clay bricks that were handmade onsite. The use of the bricks inside and out give the house a wonderful consistency of material palette, colour and texture.

From street level the expansive native rooftop garden conceals the true size of the home beneath. Entry to the house is via a wide, orchid lined, sandstone path leading to both the grand wooden front door and the informal entry into the heart of the house the living kitchen. Shrubbery cascades around the roofline giving the impression of a leafy waterfall splashing towards the rockshelf on which the building is sculpted to, in turn the external earthy tones seem to give the effect of the entire structure melding into its bushland surrounds.

This single storey house, has a generous 254 sqm of internal accommodation, featuring; three large bedrooms, one with study (or fourth bedroom); an en suite shared by two of the bedrooms; family bathroom with spa and sauna; over-sized kitchen and pantry; and voluminous 13m x 6.5m open plan living and dining including a dual fireplace.

The level changes in the house act as a constant reminder that the house is working with the landscape flowing to a stunning rock platform, which can only be described as the most beautiful natural terrace one could ever imagine or wish for.The house inherently has a soulful quality. The rock platform is a constant reminder of time, being in this ancient place. Conversely, it allows one to live in the moment. Senses are enlivened, and even the simple act of having a cup of tea is heightened, being able to stop and listen to the bird-life.

As the house is orientated directly to the North, it is a sunny home - drenched in the rays of the sun nearly all day. Windows and doors slide open to the landscape, coupled with high ceilings that make the spaces light and airy. Banks of skylights in the rear of the building provide abundant light and the glass atrium at its core, aid further natural illumination throughout. In winter, the large combustion wood burning fire heats the area beautifully, adding a charming ambience to the living and dining rooms. Conversely, the house is cool even on the hottest days of summer. Set on approximately 3.13 ha (7.5 acres) of classified wildlife refuge Morton House truly espouses the ethos of organic architecture.

The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built.

- Frank Lloyd Wright

For those who are seeking a different way of being, Morton House answers Frank Lloyd Wright's ethos. There is a real sense of peace, calm and tranquillity, with the only sounds coming from the wildlife, waterfalls and springs.

We look forward to welcoming you to this very special place.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VIEW BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT OR AS ADVERTISED:
MODERN HOUSE ESTATE AGENTS 1300 814 768
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Morton House presented by Modern House: the specialist estate agency for architect-designed residences.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .