![A modern and small house designed as a self-sufficient rural retreat with a minimal environmental footprint.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/small-rural-house-architecture-210721-818-01.jpg)
Ben Callery Architects has designed the ‘Elemental House’, a small home located an hour north of Melbourne, Australia, that lies on 100 acres of recently sub-divided farmland with panoramic views over rolling hills.
The brief from the clients, a retired couple, was for a self-sufficient rural retreat with a minimal environmental footprint.
![A modern and small house designed as a self-sufficient rural retreat with a minimal environmental footprint.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/small-rural-house-architecture-wood-exterior-210721-818-02.jpg)
The house has been designed to be off-grid, producing its own electricity and water on-site, as well as treating its waste on-site.
![The entire exterior of this small home is clad in Spotted Gum timber, an Australian native hardwood that's so durable that it meets the bushfire rating non-combustibility requirements.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/small-rural-house-architecture-wood-exterior-210721-818-03.jpg)
The entire exterior of the home is clad in Spotted Gum timber, an Australian native hardwood that’s so durable that it meets the bushfire rating non-combustibility requirements.
![The entire exterior of this small home is clad in Spotted Gum timber, an Australian native hardwood that's so durable that it meets the bushfire rating non-combustibility requirements.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/small-rural-house-architecture-wood-exterior-210721-818-04.jpg)
The floor plan of the home is compact and modest, with a single bedroom and bathroom. The living space, with its wood ceiling and large windows, is open plan with a dining area and kitchen, while the living room includes a black accent wall with a fireplace and a window bench.
![The living space of this small house, has a wood ceiling and large windows, and is open plan with a dining area and kitchen, while the living room includes black accent wall with a fireplace, and a window bench.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/modern-house-interior-black-accent-wall-fireplace-210721-819-05.jpg)
![A black accent wall is the backdrop of a fireplace and floating wood shelves.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/modern-house-interior-black-accent-wall-fireplace-210721-819-06.jpg)
![A living room with a built-in window bench.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/modern-window-seat-210721-820-08.jpg)
In the bedroom, a large picture window with a black frame perfectly showcases the rural landscape.
![In this modern bedroom, a large picture window with a black frame perfectly showcases the rural landscape.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/modern-bedroom-picture-window-wood-ceiling-210721-820-07.jpg)