The internationally acclaimed Daylesford Longhouse, designed by Partners Hill, has been put on the market, marking the end of an era for one of Australia's most distinguished contemporary residential projects. This multi-award-winning architectural masterpiece earned the prestigious Australian Institute of Architects 2019 Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture at the National Architecture Awards, along with the Australian House of the Year and New House over 200 square meter categories at the 2019 Houses Awards.
The remarkable property sits on a sprawling 20-acre site at 178 Mannings Road in Elevated Plains, located within Victoria's Hepburn Shire. From a distance, the structure appears as a striking 110-meter-long shed that commands attention across the landscape. However, the building's true innovation lies within its single volume, where a series of carefully arranged internal buildings are organized around a central greenhouse setting.
The longhouse serves multiple functions, housing living quarters, a specialized garden kitchen and cooking school, visitor accommodation facilities, and a fully operational working farm. This multifunctional design represents a revolutionary approach to residential architecture that seamlessly blends living, working, and agricultural spaces. In her comprehensive 2019 review for Architecture Australia, critic Katelin Butler described the experience of entering the building as "magical and otherworldly," while noting that despite this ethereal atmosphere, "every design decision is marked by masterful clarity and grounded in rational thinking."
The property was acquired approximately 15 years ago by owners Ronnen Goren and Trace Streeter, who collaborated closely with architect and Partners Hill director Timothy Hill to realize their ambitious vision. Their goal was to create "a place to live, farm, host and create, while also enabling a self-sufficient lifestyle." Goren, who co-owns the Daylesford Longhouse and serves as co-owner and director of the multidisciplinary design practice Studio Ongarato, described the project as redefining luxury by being "grounded in place, rich in experience, and connected to community with food and entertainment at the heart."
Reflecting on the decision to sell, Goren explained, "We are now at a stage where the time is right to pass on the legacy of what we have created." The timing of the sale coincides with significant recognition for the project's architect. Timothy Hill was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2025, with the Daylesford Longhouse specifically praised in the jury citation as emblematic of Hill's broader architectural philosophy.
The jury recognized the longhouse as representing Hill's distinctive approach to architecture, "one that has engendered an expectation that architecture can, and must, offer contiguous interior-exterior space through which inhabitants can feel place and climate – architecture that is sensual, tactile, crafted and joyful." This philosophy is evident throughout the longhouse, where the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces are deliberately blurred to create a harmonious relationship with the natural environment.
The project has gained international attention through its appearances on popular television programs, including the ABC television series "Grand Designs Australia" and the Apple TV series "Home." These media features have helped showcase the innovative design principles and sustainable living concepts embodied in the longhouse to audiences worldwide.
Expressions of interest for the Daylesford Longhouse are now being accepted through the designated sales process. The sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire not just a home, but a complete lifestyle concept that has redefined expectations for contemporary residential architecture in Australia. The property stands as a testament to the possibilities of sustainable, community-focused living while maintaining the highest standards of architectural excellence and innovation.
