Alpine Glow

A heart warming timber-lined high country retreat

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Nestled in a beautiful landscape overlooking the Ovens Valley in Bright, this high country retreat embodies the essence of luxury, comfort and connection with nature.

Set into the steep hill, this two storey home can sleep up to 12 people, yet feels cosy enough for 2. Two pitched volumes are separated by a central breezeway - opening to a serene and private parents retreat on one side and a voluminous main living wing on the other. At ground level are a mud room, garage to store mountain bikes, laundry, drying room, bathroom, bunk room and second living area complete with a billiards table.

Country:
Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang.

Location:
Bright, VIC

Interior Design Team:
Imogen Pullar + Lily Nie

Design and Construct:
JH Building

Photographer:
Marnie Hawson

Stylist and furnishings:
Britt White

Total Cost:
>$1.5M

Year:
2025
Dining table with pendant lighting over, cork flooring and timber lined walls and ceiling at Alpine Glow.

“Photographs and words are powerful things. But the best places really have to be experienced to be understood. They engage every sense. They lodge at a cellular level. Linger long after you’ve left. A little like meditation.

So it is with Jacky Winter Waters, an unusual creative refuge on the breathtakingly beautiful land of the Brataualung people of the Gunaikurnai Nation, where spectacular limestone cliffs, towering eucalypts and dense bush meet rolling surf 100 metres below.”

Kath Dolan - Green Magazine

Sustainability Specs

Glazing: High performance uPVC frames from Binq with double glazing and warm edge spacers.

Shading: North facing glazing is maximised and shaded with external horizontal shading.

West glazing is shaded with deep eaves. East facing glazing is minimised

Insulation: R4 wall insulation, R6 floor and ceiling bulk insulation. Earthwool batts are 80% recycled content, and 100% infinitely recyclable.

Wraps: Vapour permeable weather resistant wraps, taped and draught-proofed with ventilated/drainage cavities behind the cladding.

Timber cladding: Locally sourced bushfire resistant timber sourced from 100% plantation timber grown on ex-farm land

Timber coating: Grimes & Sons Controlled Erosion Stain is a low VOC, wax and oil free, water based stain that instantly ages timber.

Decking: 50% reclaimed timber and 30% recycled HDPE, UV resistant, mould resistant, bushfire resistance

Reverse cycled air conditioning to living areas and upstairs bedroom.

Fireplace: low emissions, external air sourced

Cooktop: Induction

Hot water: Heat pump

Solar: PV array maximised on the roof

Timber lining: Big River full chain of custody, third party accreditation and Australian made/owned.

Cork flooring: A renewable resource, with additional insulating qualities.

Carpets: 100% wool carpet with low VOC.

Wall tiles:  Crafted by traditional Japanese artisans, using 48.5% recycled materials

Laminate: Laminex Global greentag Certified Level A

Plumbing fixtures: locally made and water efficient tapware, 100% brass and infinitely recyclable at the end of their life.

Door hardware: 100% brass fittings that are infinitely recyclable.

Designing with Purpose

The site was assessed as having a high Bushfire Attack Level and presented multiple challenges, including steep topography, a highly corrosive marine environment, and no connection to town water or sewerage. These constraints led to a design that is robust and self-sufficient, adapting to its environment rather than imposing on it.

The client’s vision was clear: a home that prioritises health, comfort, and energy efficiency. This meant selecting low-toxicity materials, ensuring continuous insulation around the entire building envelope, and integrating vapour-permeable airtight wraps. The all-timber construction and an advanced heat recovery system provide fresh, filtered air, maintaining exceptional indoor air quality. The home’s passive design allows for natural heating in winter through solar gain, while strategically placed openings invite cooling breezes in summer. Active heating and cooling are only needed in extreme weather conditions, with the airtight wraps and high-performance insulation ensuring a consistently comfortable indoor climate.

“From the street level, I love how one of the characters is peeking out from the bush to say hello to those walking on the beach or street. It’s just the best feeling to see someone crack a smile when they see it.

I absolutely love that it creates a bit of an unexpected moment, yet is also very complementary to the environment and blends into its surrounds.”

Jeremy Wortman

Jacky Winter Waters features a colourful mural on its exterior wall, partially obscured by trees and plants.
Architectural floor plans of Jacky Winter Waters.
Jacky Winter Waters colorful mural and ocean view.

A Collective Achievement

Bringing this project to life was a true collaboration—an achievement made possible by the expertise and dedication of many. Every challenge was met with innovation, resulting in a space that is both a sanctuary and a celebration of its environment.

This retreat is more than just a structure; it’s an experience—one that we are incredibly proud to have shared.

Abstract mural on Jacky Winter Waters facade peeking through the dense forest.
Coastal landscape at sunset with rocky shoreline and bushes.
Perforated metal deck with colorful mural at Jacky Winter Waters, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, with a group of people gathered in the background.
Jacky Winter Waters metal deck overlooking the sea, two people standing, and outdoor chairs.

“I knew it was going to be cool, but I didn’t know it was going to be that experiential.

Every time I go there I just relax. I sit just there and look out that window. I make a cup of tea and sit there, and don’t think about anything. I think it’s actually achieving that mindfulness retreat concept. You just want to sit there, make a fire, go for a walk onto the beach, eat some delicious food, and sleep. They’re really important things.”

Imogen (architect)

Jacky Winter Waters modern interior with sliding glass door, plywood walls, colorful decor, and a patterned rug on tiled floor. Outside wall features a striped towel and a painted design with a smiling face.