Scent of Wood is a private residence set within the wetland landscape of the upper Yarra Valley, nestled against a mountain backdrop. The home sits quietly within its pastoral setting — humble in scale at 170m², accommodating three bedrooms and two covered outdoor areas.

Two materials define the exterior: Shou Sugi Ban charred timber and Colorbond metal cladding, both suited to the bushfire zone and chosen for their durability — one rooted in Japanese craft tradition, the other distinctly Australian.

The design draws from Japanese spatial principles. A concrete doma marks the entry. Shoji screens filter natural light and frame the wetland view beyond. A tatami floor library offers a place of quiet retreat. An engawa-like deck wraps the perimeter, blurring the boundary between inside and outside.

A quiet country life — a world away, without being far from anywhere.