Set amidst 19 acres of tranquil farmland in Winchelsea, this modern rural retreat is designed to embrace the beauty of the Australian countryside while meeting the needs of a vibrant young family. Collaborating with RUBI Architects, Fox Building Group will bring this visionary design to life, combining sustainability, functionality, and a deep connection to the land. Every decision on this Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary, from siting to material choice, is being tested against the demands of a genuinely off-grid rural property rather than a suburban block.
Project status: In progress
Expected completion: December, 2026
Client: Private
Designed by: RUBI Architects
Location : Winchelsea, Victoria
Value : $2.4m
Fox was engaged early in the process, providing valuable input on materiality, buildability, and cost, ensuring the design met the family’s vision while staying within budget. With a focus on sustainability, the off-grid home incorporates passive design principles, maximising northern sun in winter and offering breathtaking views of the Otways through expansive gable-shaped windows. Water and power self-sufficiency were treated as core design drivers rather than late additions, shaping the roof form, orientation and floor plan of the Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary from the earliest concept stage. Working this closely with RUBI Architects during design development meant buildability questions were resolved on paper, well before excavation began, protecting both the budget and the timeline for a build of this scale and remoteness.
Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary: Built for the Land
Fox Building Group takes pride in overcoming the challenges of constructing a fully off-grid home while maintaining the integrity of the rural site. This project reflects the team’s craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable, high-quality builds, creating a sanctuary where modern living and rural charm coexist in harmony. Building 19 acres from town services means every trade delivery, water tank installation and off-grid power system has to be sequenced with more care than a standard residential build, and Fox Building Group is managing that logistics challenge alongside the architectural ambition of the design.
For the young family behind this Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary, the finished home will need to work as hard as it looks: a genuinely self-sufficient rural retreat that still feels light-filled, connected to its landscape, and easy to live in day to day.
See more of our current and completed residential projects as this Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary progresses toward its December 2026 completion.
Realising the Architectural Vision
Fox Building Group translates sophisticated design into enduring residential form. We collaborate with homeowners and architects across Geelong and the Surf Coast to resolve complex briefs through precise craftsmanship and rigorous site management, and the Winchelsea Countryside Sanctuary is a clear example of that process applied to a genuinely rural, off-grid setting. To discuss the construction of your future residence, contact us.