Barossa Glasshouse among Australia’s 21 grandest designs

From its impressive exterior to its breathtaking views, it’s easy to see why this house has been recognised as one of Australia’s ultimate designer homes.

The Barossa Glasshouse is among the impressive homes included in Peter Maddison’s list of Australia’s 21 grandest homes. Picture: Foxtel

Flanked by walls of windows to make the most of its picturesque panoramic views, it’s no wonder this Barossa Valley house has been recognised as one of Australia’s grandest designs.

The impressive property, known as the Barossa Glasshouse, featured on season 3 of Grand Designs Australia.

Almost a decade after it was built, celebrated architect and series host Peter Maddison has ranked it among the top 21 grandest designs to be featured throughout the Australian version of the show’s history.

“The roof is like a knife blade, it tends to disappear into the hill when you look at it side on, (and) the walls are mostly glass so it blends into the hill,” he says.

Check out that view. Pic: barossaglasshouse.com.au

The house is flanked by walls of windows. Picture: Foxtel

Owners James and Helen Knight bought the acreage property just outside of Lyndoch as a business investment about 18 months before building the house.

It came with six villas, which the couple have run as secluded, luxury accommodation ever since.

They always intended to put a house on the property so when the time came, they commissioned renowned architect Max Pritchard to help.

“When we bought this property, we knew it needed something special,” Mr Knight said.

“It was a stunning site so we felt like we needed to build something that was really sympathetic to it.

“We just took Max’s lead, he seemed to be the right person for the site in the end.

“The design was done in two days, it was a phenomenal turn around.

“We saw what he came up with and it was totally different to anything we were thinking of.”

The house was finished in 2012 following an almost 18-month build at a cost of $1.1m.

Imagine waking up to views like that every day. Picture: Foxtel

It’s sleek and modern throughout. Picture: Foxtel

It is 57m long and only 6m wide with each room facing north, which keeps it cool in summer and warm in winter.

An enviable sunken living room with breathtaking views of the sprawling countryside is one of its standout features.

“We probably did spend a lot more than we wanted to but it was all quite spectacular, we were a little bit in awe,” Mr Knight says.

“It was a little bit surreal, the first night in the house we couldn’t quite believe it was ours.”

The Knights lived in the house with their children Peter, 14, and Thomas, 11, for seven years but now rent it out for around $1500 a night.

“Our kids don’t want us to ever sell the place,” he says.

“It’s like having a piece of artwork that you had a little bit of a hand in, there’s that emotional attachment that you won’t be able to part with easily.”

The new series of Grand Designs Australia starts Wednesdays at 8.30pm from March 31 on Foxtel’s LifeStyle channel.

Originally published as Barossa Glasshouse among Australia’s 21 grandest designs