The property at 889 Skyline Rd, Christmas Hills, is home to several sculptures.
A Yarra Valley property transformed into a creative hideaway by builder and designer Hamish Knox and landscape designer Loretta Childs awaits a new owner.
Knox, the son of famous architect Alistair Knox, has lived at the 4.86ha site at 889 Skyline Rd, Christmas Hills, for more than two decades.
Along with his brother, sculptor Macgregor Knox, he moved into the two houses at Big Hill – as the site is named – after falling in love with the 360-degree view — which takes in Yarra Glen, Mt Macedon, the Warburton Ranges, the Kinglake Ranges and entire Yarra Valley.
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“Every moment on the hill is amazing, it’s such a beautiful place to live,” Knox says.
Another of his brothers, award-winning sculptor Alexander Knox, created a work titled The Death of a White Good, an aeroplane nose’s wreck, a model of which is in Big Hill’s garden.
Works by his sister-in-law Jacki Staude, also a sculptor, and sculptor Margaret Langley adorn the property, with a sculpture by Langley of Knox’s sister Eugenie featuring in one of the ponds.
Staude, along with sculptor Lindy Youla, made a large iron staircase that’s also at the property, and other artworks.
There are two houses on the Big Hill property.
Recycled materials feature throughout the homes.
Four ponds dot the landscape, plus a swimming pool.
Knox and Childs have turned Big Hills’ houses into character-filled artistic residences, using mud brick, timber and corrugated iron, plus “quality and landmark” recycled materials including leadlight windows and “amazing” other found objects.
The main house’s kitchen is fitted with an AGA stove, slate benchtops that were formerly State Electricity Commission (SEC) insulating boards and wooden cabinets his father and Danish boast builder Ebba Lund crafted.
“It’s definitely a unique property, it’s one of a kind,” Knox says.
An AGA stove, slate benchtops that were formerly State Electricity Commission (SEC) insulating boards and wooden cabinets feature in the main house’s kitchen.
A boat that previously belonged to the family of former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt has been turned into a shelter above an outdoor entertaining area.
The views across the Yarra Valley are a major attraction.
Childs has created a garden including the four natural ponds and a swimming pool surrounded by timber decking, made from old Docklands wharves.
A boat which previously belonged to the family of former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt has been re-purposed as the roof of an outdoor entertainer’s area.
A bore drilled 180m deep provides water for the garden and also drinking water.
A model of a sculpture representing a plane nose after it crashed, titled Death of a White Good, is displayed in the garden. The artwork, by Alexander Knox, won The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award in 2006.
Art is displayed throughout the homes.
Sculptors Jacki Staude and Lindy Youla, made a large iron staircase that stands in the garden.
Knox says Big Hill could become an “incredible” art gallery, wellbeing centre or yoga retreat, subject to council approval.
Morrison Kleeman Estate Agents’ director Rocco Montanaro and agent Gayle Blackwood have the listing.
Big Hill has a $2.7m-$2.95m asking range.
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