FEATURE HOME – The Hilltop House

A bold hilltop home blending style with modern comfort and near-passive design principles.

Completed: 2025  |  Location: Drouin, Victoria

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Perched on the summit of a Drouin hilltop, this stunning custom-designed home is the epitome of Virtue Homes’ skill and dedication to bringing our client’s vision to life.

This beautiful home finished construction in February 2025 and showcases lavish modern touches that integrate seamlessly with the overall aesthetic. Boasting four spacious bedrooms and three living areas, this sprawling home was purpose-built to fit into the extreme natural fall of the block. The garage sits below the main abode, set into the hillside, with the house perched at the top of the hill overlooking the countryside that surrounds the estate. This block presented a challenge that proved too great for many builders, but when the clients came to Virtue Homes with their vision, the team worked hard to achieve the ultimate dream. This unique project is a source of pride not only for the owners, but the entire team here at Virtue who had a hand in bringing it to life. Thoughtful design and meticulous planning made building on the difficult site not only possible, but the results are simply stunning.

The clients also came to Virtue Homes with a goal to achieve passive house features. They understood that due to the nature of the block and a variety of other factors, it would not be possible to achieve what is technically deemed a “passive home”, but that Virtue would put in the work to accomplish as close to these standards as possible. The result was outstanding. Passive homes are their own niche market, following rigorous guidelines and requiring specialist builders and materials to achieve. The outcome of this project was truly a testament to the Virtue Homes team’s skills and commitment to their client’s goals.

Due to its near-passive house status, the home will remain a constant temperature year-round, negating the need for heating and cooling systems. This cost-effective and environmentally conscious solution was important to the clients and their vision for their exquisite home. Beauty and functionality were at the forefront of the design process for this project.

The kitchen and dining areas flow into a large living space and out onto an adjoining outdoor entertainment area that surveys the surrounding landscape and allows for access to the backyard, ideal for hosting guests on warm summer evenings, or cosying around a firepit in the cooler months. Built for a growing family, this home will be enjoyed for many years and generations to come.

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"This home is a true example of what can be achieved when great design meets determination. Building into the hillside while incorporating near-passive design principles was no small feat, but the results speak for themselves. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud of – not just for its striking form and energy efficiency, but for how closely it reflects the vision our clients brought to us."  

~ Ross Marchetti, Building Design Manager

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