The quaint hamlet of Marananga has slowly and quietly evolved into "a place to be"!
For a long time it has been home to the likes of Greenock Creek and Heritage wines and more recently Two Hands, Tscharke and Seppeltsfield Road Distillers. Other well-known wine brands such as Barossa Estates, Whistler Wines, Seppeltsfield and Torbreck are just a shot drive away and being situated only minutes from the historic township of Tanunda and the commercial heart of the Barossa, Nuriootpa, everything you need is close at hand.
"The Arches" is nestled in the heart of Marananga, on a generous allotment of just over 2 acres, where the impressive and truly unique residence lies hidden among an array of natives trees and shrubs, with its grandeur only revealing itself as you make your way down the private roadway then turn for the final approach.
The overall inspiration for the design was from medieval walled towns in Europe, where remnants of the old protective stone walls remain and then newer, lighter construction is added, using the old walls for support on one side. This sets up a dichotomy between the thick masonry walls versus the lighter construction characterized by framed walls, thin columns, metal roofing and exposed ceiling beams. The masonry itself is a contemporary interpretation of historic vernacular Barossa construction, with local rubble stone selected for its variegated colour framed by brick quoins and arched openings. The idea of extending the driveway through one of the arches comes from driving into the courtyard of a castle through a similar arched opening, evoking the same sense of arriving in a protected place.
Another theme in the design is the idea that some elements are mirrored on either side of a threshold. This is visible in the pairs of reflecting pools on either side of the courtyard arches. Also, the brick and slate fireplace shape is mirrored to the outside of the living room wall with a brick and slate niche for firewood on the verandah, as well as relating to the angled vent hood over the cooktop.
The glass-enclosed breezeway both separates and connects the main living spaces from the bedrooms, enhancing the feeling of privacy for the bedrooms and the feeling of community in the open kitchen/dining/living/office space. The breezeway slices through the house, with one end dropping into stairs to the cellar, while the other end protrudes beyond the edge of the house to reach out to the site beyond. The open 4th side of the courtyard has a planted berm to provide a hint of enclosure on that side.
The landscaping of the site is a collection of mature native trees and plants, originally planted about 10 years before the house was built, contrasting with the more manicured plantings inside the courtyard. Among the more dramatic and ancient native plants are the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) with thick dark trunks, which are hundreds of years old.
Other features of the property are numerous split system air conditioners, open fireplace, large fully functioning kitchen, 2 ensuite bathrooms (1 to each bedroom), brush box timber flooring to main living, 3rd toilet/washroom, an impressive, easily accessible cellar, double carport, 7kw solar system, mains and rainwater, vegetable and herb gardens, garden shed and much more.
A truly rare opportunity to own such an impressive residence situated in a rural setting on the edge of this emerging hamlet in the World famous Barossa Valley. Enquire now!!!
