Building a house, let alone one with only a 24 square meter footprint, may not be on everybody’s lifelong bucket list. But for Victoria-based Benjamin Bailey-Webb, this was something he knew he had to do.
The Nook, situated on extensive privately-owned farming land in rural Gariwerd, makes up for its size with its innovative design and culturally rich location. Many hands came together to build this home for anyone seeking a rural getaway.
For Benj, a man with no formal building training, his father’s lifelong dream of building niche accommodation and unwavering support was a real push.
‘’It was a bit of a two-way street sort of scenario where he went from supporting me or pushing my drive, to me then also providing that.’’
Completing a job of this scale alone, he admits, would not have been possible. Human relationships were a real motivator for Benj during the build.
‘’Everybody played a part, whether I could see it at the time or not, I can definitely see it now.’’
The stunning Grampians getaway sleeps two adults. It’s complete with an outdoor bathtub and painstakingly restored native garden, bringing with it a whole lot of wildlife and further transforming The Nook into its own ecosystem of sorts. But for those who aren’t naturally outdoorsy, you’ll still have access to internet and only have to venture about ten minutes to the charming Halls Gap, the closest town.
Alfresco dining facilities, complete with a BBQ set-up, means you also truly have the option to steal away from civilisation if you want to.
It’s important to Benj and his life-partner Holly, however, to reinforce that guests are ‘’not just escaping the city, they’re coming to be a part of something.’’
Their dedication to sustainable building methods and sourced materials has meant that the build spanned four years, with the couple spending a lot of the time living and working in close quarters.
‘’There’s been a journey and a history in that house. It’s led to that point.’’
It’s a story that they feel is important for guests to know prior to their stay so they feel even more connected with the house and its surroundings.
In terms of other projects on the horizon, Benj reiterates that the level of detail that went into building the house of his dreams would be hard to recreate.
‘’The key focus is to make The Nook one of the best accommodation offerings in Victoria and I just feel like spreading myself across multiple projects just won’t allow that to happen.’’
If you’re interested to know more about the story, they’re working on a book for guests to read during their stay. Make bookings directly through Airbnb or shoot Benj a message. No need for formalities, that’s usually just what his mates call him.
Book your stay at Nook on the Hill here.
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Image credit: supplied by Benjamin Bailey-Webb