At Fine Earth Joinery, we take immense pride in contributing to some of Australia’s most stunning and thoughtfully designed homes. One such standout is the Fish River House by Incidental Architecture. A residence that marries contemporary Australian design with deep environmental sensitivity. We are proud to have delivered bespoke joinery for this project, which has gone on to win the 2024 HIA NSW Best Custom Built Home ($2 million – $2.5 million range).
A Project Rooted in Place
Nestled in the rural landscape of Fish River, the home is designed as a permanent residence with the heart and humility of a holiday retreat. With a strong architectural emphasis on environmental responsiveness, material honesty and durability, the project exemplifies the ideals of sustainable design. The house appears to rise from the land itself, embracing its setting with a sense of calm permanence.
Our Contribution: Materials That Make a Statement
For this home, Fine Earth Joinery was entrusted with producing high-end, custom joinery that reflected both the aesthetic vision of the architects and the practical needs of the client.
We worked closely with Incidental Architecture to select materials that would harmonise with the home’s architectural language. The key materials we supplied and installed included:
- Spotted Gum Timber Veneer: Sourced from Consolidated Panels & Veneers, this timber was chosen for its rich, warm tone and strong grain character. Spotted Gum brought a natural depth and refined finish to the interior. Its hard-wearing properties make it an excellent choice for long-lasting joinery in a high-use residential setting.
- Swamp Grey TZ Board: Supplied by TZ Sydney North, this premium board was used for contrasting cabinetry and surfaces. Its muted grey tones provided a crisp, contemporary balance to the warmth of the timber.
Every detail, from cabinetry and shelving to integrated storage solutions, was carefully crafted in our workshop to exacting specifications, ensuring a seamless blend with the home’s minimalist interior and rural context.
Award-Winning Recognition
Fish River House has been acknowledged for its architectural and construction excellence with the HIA NSW Best Custom Built Home ($2–2.5 million) award. This recognition is a testament to the collaboration between a visionary design team, skilled tradespeople, and dedicated contributors like Fine Earth Joinery. It has also been featured in the Houses Magazine Issue 162 and in the Architecture, AU article here.
A Lasting Legacy
This project underscores the importance of craftsmanship, material integrity, and strong partnerships in building homes that are not only liveable and beautiful, but also built to endure. Fine Earth Joinery is honoured to have contributed to a project that not only pushes the envelope in regional Australian design but sets a benchmark for quality and sustainability.
Credits & Collaborators
- Architect: Matt Elkan – Incidental Architecture
- Builder: Bailey Homes & Construction
- Benchtops: Central Coast Granite
- Veneer Supplier: Consolidated Panels & Veneers
- Swamp Grey TZ Board: TZ Sydney North
- Lighting: Tovo Lighting
- Award: HIA NSW Best Custom Built House $2–2.5M