Thanks to clients with a determined vision coupled with the imagination and heritage sensitivity of designers, A-HA! Design Studio have transformed a 19th century chaff mill from not much more than a few crumbling walls into a luxurious contemporary bed and breakfast wrapped with the stories of its past.
The mill is sited on a magnificent property just 45 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD with sweeping views across rolling organic vineyards and just five minutes to one of the region’s finest beaches at Silver Sands with a dramatic coastline worthy of a movie.
A-HA! Design Studio wanted to maximise these stunning views and brief to feature the character, heritage and stories of the past. The original stone walls were honoured to create an envelope housing exquisite contemporary detailing, feature windows and glass walling contrasting with the hand-burnt Shou Sugi Ban black timber walls on the new build.
Recycled timbers and forgotten treasures were reworked into the build with fine craftsmanship. The massive mechanical winnower that originally separated wheat from the chaff was repurposed into a spectacular pendant light and a section of original footings are revealed beneath glass to showcase artefacts and hint at past lives.
Sustainability was also a key driver. The building’s original footprint was the basis for the design that created enough room for two separate retreats and an extension to the south-east for the feature bathroom with an extraordinary view.
Both dwellings are connected to a worm-farm wastewater system with worm castings used in the garden and nearby almond grove. Steel-framed double glazing was added to the existing structure and creates one of the retreats dramatic features. A glass Juliet Balcony frames a space for guests to float above the landscape whilst the bath overlooking vineyards to the horizon is a space to relax with a local wine overlooking the region where the grapes were grown.
The Old Chaff Mill Retreat has been transformed by respecting its stories and architectural and agricultural heritage adding imagination, fine detailing and craftsmanship, to create a place to relax, be pampered and explore the beauty of the landscape the old chaff mill so proudly stands in today.
The building consists of two completely private, self-contained, double-storey luxury suites: “The Millery”, and “The Granary”. Both display rare historic artefacts, have super-comfortable king beds, fully equipped kitchens with European appliances, complementary NBN wifi, smart TVs, and bathrooms complete with bathtub for two and double rain-head showers. Bathrobes, slippers and all linen are provided. Everything from towels to cutlery is the highest quality. Come and pamper yourself for that special occasion…
You can book the Old Chaff Mill Retreat for $475 a night via Air bnb below:
Book The Granary
Book The Millery
Design: @a_ha.studio
Images: @a_ha.studio
Build: @glassfox_adelaide
Location: Sellicks, SA
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