The Stone Cottage, built circa 1855, stands as the sole remnant of the first European settlement in the Snowy Monaro region. A modest structure, measuring approximately 7.4 metres by 3.7 metres internally, made of local materials, it features a simple pitched roof, a massive fireplace, and rustic post-and-beam timber frame construction with random laid stone infill walling. Its prominence on the Jindabyne-Thredbo road makes it a local landmark, with possible origins as a ‘crofters hut’.

The owners asked us to make the cottage habitable, secure its longevity, and create a delightful interior with custom joinery. The land and house, held by the family for generations, demanded new and replacement materials and finishes that honour its spirit. The design approach was to preserve the cottage’s historical significance and charm while ensuring it would stand for another century. We specified robust hardwood timbers for door and window joinery, hand-nailed timber boarded ceilings with reused original adzed beams, discreet granite wall repairs, and external lime mortar repointing. Internal lime plastering, except at the exposed stone fireplace end, and a polished concrete floor all complement the heritage philosophy of ‘do as much as necessary and little as possible’.

The alpine environment posed its own challenges. The thick stone walls, bonded with mud, horsehair, manure and straw, had settled and leaned over some 170 years. Providing stability and weatherproofing required arduous repointing work after removing inappropriate and aged cement mortar. The heavy construction needed to ‘breathe’ to provide contemporary comfort, hence the use of traditional lime rather than Portland cement. This necessitated significant craft skills and patient work to preserve the building’s character, in both material and spatial terms.

Having worked with Bellevarde previously, we trusted their site team, led by John Fielding and Steve O’Ryan, to deliver a high-quality outcome respectful of the cottage’s social and cultural importance. Bellevarde’s reputation for excellence made them the ideal choice. Their key personnel make intelligent recommendations, select expert tradespeople, and resolve complex details to appear as always ‘meant to be’.

Despite being physically the smallest project I’ve worked on with Bellevarde, it demanded rigorous investigation, planning and execution. Notable details include 80 kilogram ledged and braced timber plank doors with superb custom ironmongery, discreet ceiling ventilation cutout holes, bespoke steel framed lift-out magnetic flyscreens, a single granite block ‘sculpted’ as a bathroom exhaust, and a recycled sheep feeder repurposed as a wood store. These reflect Bellevarde’s extreme care, curiosity and passion. Steve was a font of sage advice and John is ever-ready with a pen to draw up a detail or set out the window joinery schedule. Along with tradespeople such as stonemason Lachy, and lime plasterer Steve, they delivered some truly exceptional work. John’s provision of seasoned hardwood timbers from his personal collection elevated the joinery quality.

Latent issues, like the bowed front wall, required innovative solutions such as the concrete ring beam which stabilised it without erasing its ‘rakish’ charm. Bellevarde’s deep understanding of construction principles have ensured durability and amenity while retaining heritage value. Their record for delivering high-quality contemporary architecture shines here in a more intimate, low-key, handmade scale. The completed building is both primitive and sophisticated, rewards closer inspection and maintains the essence and integrity of the stone cottage, the site and surrounds.

The client and their family are thrilled with the restoration, being a significant milestone in a decades-long project. Their unwavering dedication to the project and unconditional support of the team is a great credit to them. The cottage, now a conservation award winner and popular holiday destination, has achieved an excellent finish and exudes rich character. We are proud to have had the opportunity to be involved in protecting this local cultural artefact and grateful for Bellevarde’s collaborative dynamic. Their constant communication, sharing of ideas, and diligent problem-solving set them apart. It was a highly rewarding experience.

Photography: Cam Jones and Snowy Mountains Accommodation

The Stone Cottage near Thredbo holds profound historical and cultural significance. It’s an iconic landmark along the Alpine Way that evokes a sense of shared ownership among locals and passers-by. My parents, Jim and Gwenda Harrison, have owned it for over 50 years. My mother in particular held deep admiration for Mary McEvoy, the first European woman to cross the Snowy River and settle in the area. The cottage is the sole remaining intact building from the original homestead and Wollondibby Inn, where Mary McEvoy maintained the home fires for 70 years. Preserving this heritage was paramount and honouring Mary became the guiding principle of our renovation.

Choosing the right team was essential. After five years of drawings, planning, and consultations with council and heritage experts, our trusted planner Ivan Pasalich recommended Bellevarde Constructions unequivocally, noting they excel in heritage work in the region. Our architect, Vince Myson, had also collaborated with Bellevarde on numerous projects, further reinforcing this endorsement. I met Bellevarde’s site manager Steve O’Ryan and, when he shared photographs of his own stone cottage renovation, I was convinced.

The brief to Vince was to adhere to council recommendations—setting the structure away from the hill, grading the earth away from the structure, installing agricultural drains to divert water, and ensuring compliance with heritage standards. Having used the cottage, which was initially a shell for grain storage, as accommodation for decades, I understood the sunlight patterns, the need for better airflow, and ways to mitigate winds and insects. Vince and Steve found innovative ways to incorporate these insights effectively, designing features like double doors with inner glazing for light and ventilation while preserving the original aesthetic.

The renovation itself revealed several structural challenges, such as a front wall lacking foundations and leaning significantly due to a large crack. Rather than opting for a quick fix with blocks and stone facing, we committed to a proper restoration, installing concrete beams as lintels, pillars for stability, and tying everything into the roof for longevity. Everything was designed to sit off the walls, with undulating lime plaster preserving the stone’s natural contours, allowing for easy removal without damaging the original fabric.

Bellevarde Constructions, led by Steve O’Ryan and John Fielding, excelled throughout. Steve’s expertise in heritage stonework was evident from the start. His personal touch, drawing from his own project, inspired a deep sense of trust. When circumstances required Steve to step away for a while, John seamlessly took over. John proved meticulous, embodying the ‘measure twice, cut once’ philosophy. He precisely planned tile layouts in the bathroom to avoid unsightly cuts. Both Steve and John wholeheartedly embraced my vision, accommodating specifics like a queen-bed measured down to the millimetre which fitted perfectly. John supplied recycled timbers that he’d personally stored for over 20 years, integrating them into ceilings and crossbeams for an authentic finish. The stonemasons Bellevarde employed lovingly repointed every stone in challenging winter conditions, numbering and replacing them exactly, and the carpenter and joiner expertly crafted bespoke elements like beds, couches, drying cupboard and kitchen units to my specifications.

The renovated cottage is fabulous—a compact space now equipped with a full bathroom, kitchen, and laundry, optimised for year-round use. Family members rave about its quality and guests have booked it solidly during ski season, delighting in the before-and-after booklet we compiled. The reveal party, attended by heritage experts, Mary McEvoy’s relatives, and locals, affirmed its success and everyone loves what we achieved. We even received a Master Builders Award and an Housing Industry Association Award for restoration. Bellevarde’s premium craftsmanship delivers exceptional value and I would be delighted to collaborate with them again.

Photography: Cam Jones and Snowy Mountains Accommodation