The Three Springs residence in the Dandenong Ranges, designed by KGA Architecture and built with Gosford Quarries sandstone, showcases hand-finished Quarry Run cladding, curved copper roofing, and bespoke landscaping. This award-winning private estate harmonises architecture, nature, and storytelling in every detail.(John Gollings: Photographer)
Article at a Glance: Stone, Soul, and Story: The Three Springs Project with Gosford Quarries Sandstone
Location: Dandenong Ranges, VIC
Project Team: Kristin Green (KGA Architecture), Gosford Quarries, Terraforma Landscapes, Artisan Stonecraft Stonemasons
A powerful fusion of architecture, landscape and memory, Three Springs is a private residence and personal gallery designed by acclaimed architect Kristin Green. Set in the lush Dandenong Ranges of Victoria, this project explores the deep emotional and spiritual layers of place through the tactile, timeless medium of Australian sandstone.
Crafted from Gosford Quarries’ Quarry Run range, the home evokes both ancient monolith and contemporary sculpture. The material’s earthy pink and clay tones were carefully selected to harmonise with the terrain, and its hydrasplit finish provides both texture and authenticity. From hand-finished reveals to immersive feature walls, the design champions material honesty and narrative depth.
This article reveals the story behind the build, from architectural intent to stonemasonry detail, and showcases why sandstone remains a compelling medium for projects that demand soul, structure and permanence.
At the heart of the Centennial Park Labyrinth, a person pauses at the centre — symbolising reflection, truth-telling, and reconciliation. Crafted from Wondabyne sandstone by Gosford Quarries, this sacred public artwork blends geometry, memory, and unity. (Bondi Stone Installer – Ken Duncan Photography)
A Home Etched in Landscape and Legacy
In the gently rolling hills of Victoria’s Dandenong region, a home has risen not from blueprints alone but from memory, place, and stone. Three Springs is more than an architectural feat; it is a tribute to land and legacy, imagined by KGA Architecture and realised with the enduring beauty of natural Australian sandstone from Gosford Quarries.
At the centre of this story is acclaimed architect Kristin Green, whose vision was guided by a deep respect for the natural environment and a desire to create a home that mirrored the rhythms of its setting: the filtered light of a fern gully, the path of a spring-fed creek, and the gravity of ancient oaks. With her client’s profound appreciation for Indigenous culture and the rich civic heritage of the region, Green embarked on a project that demanded more than just aesthetic excellence – it demanded authenticity.
Sandstone wasn’t the initial material of choice. But when Green encountered Gosford Quarries’ Quarry Run blend – with its bold striations of pink, rust, and clay-toned bands – she was captivated. What began as a pragmatic solution quickly evolved into the conceptual core of the design. The stone didn’t just inform the architecture; it shaped it. “This was not merely a home,” Green shares. “It was a love story rendered in stone.”
Throughout the project, sandstone became structure, skin, and soul – capable of withstanding Australia’s climate while resonating emotionally with the land it emerged from.
In telling the story of Three Springs, we reveal more than an extraordinary house. We explore how a natural material, when treated with reverence and vision, can elevate architecture into something timeless.
A sandstone path leads through the tranquil bushland estate towards Clematis House – a private residence designed by KGA Architecture, built with hand-selected Quarry Run sandstone from Gosford Quarries. The landscape invites immersion, where native greenery and natural materials speak in quiet harmony. (John Gollings: Photographer).
The Land as Muse: Site, Memory, and the Architecture of Storytelling
Architecture is often described as responding to brief, budget, and need. But in the case of Three Springs, architecture began with listening. The site – an 85-acre working horse and cattle farm – whispered its story through topography, vegetation, and light.
From the soft, shaded gully to the spring-fed creek, and up through open paddocks to a regal avenue of mature Pin Oaks, the land offered a natural procession that called for reverence rather than reinvention.
Kristin Green and her team at KGA Architecture approached the site not as a blank canvas but as a living narrative. “We wanted the architecture to feel unearthed,” Green explains, “as if it had emerged from the hillside, a rocky outcrop brushed by autumn’s rust.” This philosophy guided every design move – a commitment to civility, humility, and place-making that honoured the land rather than dominating it.
A structure shaped by natural procession and civic symbolism emerged – the plan curves in a gentle horseshoe, embracing a cloistered courtyard. Two entrances: one formal and ceremonial, aligned with the gallery, and the other playful and domestic, leading from the stables, express the dual nature of the brief. The building needed to function as a home, a gallery, and a space of private retreat and public engagement.
The land itself determined the house’s orientation and form. Triangles and circles – rather than modernist grids – became the geometry of choice, echoing the organic irregularity of the setting. Rooflines crouch low to the earth, like living organisms about to spring to life, while walls step gently with the hill’s contours.
In this way, the architecture doesn’t impose a narrative but extends one. The project’s spatial choreography echoes the experience of walking the land, rising, curving, and revealing. “Every gesture was intentional,” says Green. Every detail was imbued with gravitas.”
The result is a building that does not begin or end with its walls. It speaks with and to its surroundings, drawing colour from the soil and shadow from the trees. It is not merely set in the landscape – it is of it.
“We wanted the architecture to feel unearthed,” Green explains, “as if it had emerged from the hillside, a rocky outcrop brushed by autumn’s rust.”
Falling in Love with Sandstone: A Material That Changed Everything
Sandstone was not part of the original vision. Initially, other materials were considered – more conventional choices, perhaps more familiar. But when Kristin Green encountered Gosford Quarries’ Quarry Run sandstone, the entire trajectory of the project shifted. The already robust, ambitious, and deeply contextual design found its soul in stone.
“There was something in its tone – the way it reflected the colours of every season, the way it sat comfortably against the site’s clay soils – that made it an immediate contender,” Green recalls. “It felt right.”
That feeling was more than aesthetic intuition. It was a realisation that sandstone offered visual harmony and philosophical alignment. Its geological narrative, formed over millennia, mirrored the project’s desire to root the architecture in deep time and place. “Sandstone became both voice and vessel,” Green explains. “It allowed us to craft architecture that felt at once elemental and refined.”
The unique Quarry Run blend, with its expressive bands of pink, brown, and soft rust, became central to this vision. Far from being a neutral backdrop, the sandstone told a story of sediment, pressure, and nature’s slow patience. Its colouration evoked autumn leaves and iron-rich soil; its texture invited light to play across its surface, shifting mood and tone throughout the day.
As the stone arrived on site, everything changed. The broader interior palette was set aside. Instead, every hue was drawn directly from the stone itself. “We discovered sandstone’s versatility gave us unexpected freedom,” Green says. “Its structural and aesthetic qualities allowed us to discard superfluous finishes – what we designed is what was built, what was built is what is seen.”
Sandstone became the project’s unifying language. It moved from exterior to interior, cladding to structure, column to capping stone. It blurred the boundary between form and feeling. What began as a material choice became a conceptual commitment that brought warmth, gravitas, and grace.
Like any other material, sandstone felt alive – responsive to weather, touch, and time. It wasn’t simply used; it was loved. And that love resonates in every Three Springs arch, wall, and surface.
Exquisite sandstone geometry meets artistic vision at Clematis House, showcasing profiled detailing around bespoke window frames in Gosford Quarries’ signature palette. (KGA ARCHITECTURE: Photographer).
Material Poetry in Practice: The Design Language of Stone
With sandstone at its core, the Three Springs project unfolded as an architectural composition in which rhythm, repetition, and reverence guided every design gesture. The material was not simply applied; it was orchestrated. The stone didn’t clad the building, it became the building.
From the outset, Green’s ambition was to allow the architecture to emerge from the landscape. “We wanted the building to feel as though it grew from the hill,” she explains. “Not imposed upon it but rising organically, like geology caught mid-gesture.” In this choreography of form and terrain, sandstone provided both the anchor and the melody.
The application of Gosford Quarries’ sandstone was expansive and intentional. Walls, columns, arches, fireplace surrounds, floors, and landscape elements were composed of the same Quarry Run material.
The result was not monotony, but cohesion – a visual and tactile symphony built on variation. “It’s natural tonal variation – those pinks, mauves, clays, and soft rusts – allowed us to build a narrative of warmth and subtle drama,” says Green. “Internally and externally, sandstone became our primary language.”
That language spoke of permanence and softness, mass and intimacy. The material’s ability to hold shadow, reflect light, and accept weathering gave the architecture a changing emotional register throughout the day and seasons. It became a living surface – part sculpture, part shelter.
And yet, what appears poetic was grounded in practicality. Sandstone’s structural capability enabled a stripping back of complexity. “Sandstone gave us complexity without clutter,” Green notes. “Richness without excess.” Its strength and formability allowed details to be integrated directly into the build: from custom triangular window reveals to continuous walling without the need for extraneous finishes.
The design’s spatial layout echoed the same principles. A horseshoe-shaped plan wrapped around a cloistered courtyard, drawing inhabitants through formal and informal zones defined by stone.
Circles and triangles were repeated in elevation and roofing, motifs inspired by the geometry of landscape and light. The massing hugged the contours of the land, grounding the building physically and philosophically.
What emerged was not just a structure, but an experience – a sequence of material expressions where sandstone choreographed space, light, and time. It was poetry in practice: tangible, durable, and emotionally resonant.
Curved sandstone blockwork under construction at Clematis House reveals the craftsmanship behind its cylindrical tower design, which uses precisely cut Gosford Quarries stone for strength and symmetry. (KGA ARCHITECTURE: Photographer).
Collaboration and Craftsmanship: Elevating Stonework to Art
Behind every remarkable sandstone structure lies material and a community of skilled hands and collaborative spirits.
For the Three Springs project, the partnership between KGA Architecture and Gosford Quarries transcended a typical supplier-client relationship – a creative alliance that brought stone to life.
From the early design stages, Gosford Quarries’ Victorian Manager, Dustin Butcher, played a pivotal role. “Dustin brought a generosity of spirit that transformed a transaction into collaboration,” recalls Kristin Green. His deep technical knowledge, responsiveness, and enthusiasm for bespoke needs allowed the design to evolve fluidly, adapting to the project’s complexities without compromise.
The selection of the Quarry Run sandstone itself reflected this close partnership. Gosford Quarries offered stone embodying the desired tonal range – subtle pinks, mauves, and earthy clays – perfectly echoing the site’s palette. However, their ability to consistently supply carefully blended batches ensured visual harmony throughout the building’s expansive façade and interior features.
Green explains, “Natural stone varies, so we implemented rigorous blending protocols – opening multiple pallets, selecting across batches, maintaining cohesion. It was a logistical challenge that paid off in narrative coherence.”
Dustin introduced the craftsmanship that extended beyond supply into the hands of experienced stonemasons.
Skilled artisans shaped and refined every detail – from fireplace surrounds and capping stones to intricate quoin blocks and the unique triangular window reveals. Each element was developed through ongoing dialogue, where samples flowed and ideas were massaged to balance bespoke artistry and buildability.
This collaborative process turned construction into a craft. The stone was not merely built upon; it was sculpted, celebrated, and given life through expert cutting, fitting, and finishing. The masons’ intimate understanding of sandstone’s properties ensured every surface was treated with respect, its textures preserved, and its natural beauty enhanced.
Moreover, Gosford Quarries met every design challenge with a “yes.” Complex design gestures that might have seemed difficult elsewhere, such as continuous walling effects that appear effortless and unique archways, were embraced and executed precisely. This flexibility enabled KGA Architecture to realise its vision fully without compromise.
The shared respect for the material, the site, and the architectural intent forged a partnership rooted in trust and creativity. Dustin’s proactive involvement from design to final delivery meant potential issues were pre-empted, questions swiftly answered, and custom requests enthusiastically met.
For Green, this collaboration embodied the spirit of the project itself. “Working with Gosford Quarries elevated the work from construction to craft,” she affirms. “Their involvement wasn’t just about stone; it was about partnership, respect, and shared purpose.”
This human element – skilled hands interpreting raw stone – was essential in a project so profoundly connected to place. It turned stone into story, material into meaning, and architecture into art.
“Working with Gosford Quarries elevated the work from construction to craft.”
“Their involvement wasn’t just about stone; it was about partnership, respect, and shared purpose.”
Art Nouveau meets Australian sandstone in this stunning entryway at Clematis House, where the precision of profiled cladding, copper detailing, and playful geometry offer a warm welcome. (John Gollings: Photographer).
Sandstone’s Timelessness and Environmental Role: A Living Legacy
One of the most compelling reasons sandstone was embraced for the Three Springs project is its physical and symbolic enduring nature. Sandstone is not merely a building material; it is a living legacy that ages gracefully and weathers with dignity, carrying stories of the land through time.
Kristin Green passionately discusses this connection: “Sandstone ages with dignity. The building will grow more beautiful with time. The stone will weather, its patina will deepen, moss will cling, and time will only enrich its presence.” This natural transformation is not a flaw but a feature – a celebration of impermanence and nature’s cycles.
Functionally, sandstone offers excellent thermal mass, absorbing heat slowly and releasing it steadily.
This thermal stability reduces reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, promoting a more sustainable and comfortable indoor environment. In the case of Three Springs, the stone’s ability to moderate temperature contributed to the home gallery’s harmonious relationship with its natural surroundings.
Moreover, sandstone’s minimal need for additional finishes or chemical treatments aligns with a growing architectural emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Its finished surface straight from the quarry minimises waste, avoids toxic coatings, and eliminates common problems with other materials, such as salting or efflorescence.
From an ecological perspective, sandstone quarrying and use demand stewardship. Kristin Green acknowledges this: “As stewards of design and material, we must demand life cycle responsibility – ethical quarrying, post-use rehabilitation, and a transparent supply chain.” This reflects a broader commitment shared by Gosford Quarries, which combines supply with stewardship and leads by example in responsible quarrying practices.
Sandstone’s durability also speaks to the principle of timelessness in architecture. Unlike materials that fall out of favour or degrade quickly, sandstone’s civic and regional associations root it deeply in Australia’s cultural fabric. Many historic public buildings across the country rely on sandstone’s gravitas, and the Three Springs project taps into this legacy to create a sense of permanence and belonging.
Aesthetically, the stone’s subtle tonal variation – ranging from soft pinks and mauves to clay and rust hues – engages dynamically with light and shadow throughout the day and seasons. This quiet complexity offers architects a palette of emotion and texture, enabling architecture to respond intimately to its context. Green notes, “It invited a shifting emotional register as the day passed, complexity without clutter, richness without excess.”
This emotional resonance enhances the building’s dual identity as both home and gallery. The stone forms a continuous narrative, seamlessly linking interior and exterior, structure and detail, monumentality and intimacy. Its presence is tactile and poetic, grounding the architecture in the land’s rhythms while inviting human touch and contemplation.
The project’s longevity also supports ecological and cultural sustainability. If cared for, sandstone buildings can last centuries, requiring less frequent replacement or renovation, thereby reducing environmental impact over the long term.
Kristin Green envisions a future where sandstone remains relevant but responsibly managed: “Sandstone has much left to give – but only if we treat it with the respect it deserves. We must advocate for skill preservation, ethical use, and mindful design that honours the material’s lineage and future.”
This forward-thinking stance aligns with Gosford Quarries’ role as a material supplier and custodian. Their approach is holistic, balancing commercial success with environmental and cultural responsibility. This integrated philosophy ensures that sandstone’s place in Australian architecture remains vital and valued for generations.
In the Three Springs project, sandstone is more than stone; it is skin and soul – a material that holds memory, conveys meaning, and endures gracefully. Its timeless qualities embody the essence of sustainable design: to create architecture that respects the past and present and actively nurtures the future.
Under construction: precision-cut sandstone columns interlock with deep red steel framing, showcasing the architectural rhythm and structural grace of Clematis House. (KGA ARCHITECTURE: Photographer).
The Architectural Language of Three Springs – Form, Colour, and Texture
The architectural language of Three Springs is eloquent, rich, and deeply rooted in the natural landscape. It is a conversation between form, colour, and texture – a language that speaks to the eye and the place’s soul.
This language’s heart is sandstone, specifically the Gosford Quarries’ “Quarry Run” variety. This sandstone’s bold brown and pink banding became a defining characteristic of the project. Kristin Green reflects on the material’s influence: “The natural tonal variation – those pinks, mauves, clays and soft rusts – allowed us to build a narrative of warmth and subtle drama.”
This colour palette was not imposed but discovered. The architect’s initial plan included a broader interior palette, but “that changed the moment the stone arrived on site. We instead drew every hue from the material itself. The result was cohesion – a singular language rendered in form, light, and touch.”
This unity of colour and form is critical to the building’s expression. The architecture feels unearthed, as if it emerged organically from the hillside. This connection to the land is reinforced by the stone’s warm, earthy hues that harmonise with the site’s orange clay soils and the autumn tones of surrounding pin oaks.
Texture is another essential component of the project’s language. The random length coursing of the sandstone walls creates a visual rhythm – an interplay of shadow and relief that animates the surfaces. Far from a smooth, polished finish, the stone reveals its natural character: slight imperfections, subtle veining, and a tactile surface that invites touch.
The deliberate choice to eschew superfluous finishes reflects a philosophy of honesty and integrity in material use. “What we designed is what was built, what was built is what is seen,” Kristin explains. This blurring of the line between surface and substance gives the building its gravity and elegance, a quiet dignity that resonates with the spirit of the site and the client’s aspirations.
Formally, Three Springs celebrates complexity and geometry. The architecture is articulated through a series of triangles and circles, shapes that echo the natural forms and rhythms of the landscape. Triangular window surrounds, circular arches, and pagoda-like drums create a dynamic and alive architecture.
This geometry was not just aesthetic but symbolic. It “straddles the spaces between the solid anchored drums of the library, pagoda and master bedroom,” creating moments of surprise and delight. The building’s form steps along the site’s natural contours, hugging the ground and responding to the topography rather than imposing upon it.
This approach aligns with the project’s overarching desire to honour the land and its narrative. “Every gesture was intentional; every detail imbued with gravitas,” Kristin says. The architecture choreographs an experience – moving from intimate family spaces to the grand gallery, from solid monumentality to delicate detail.
Light plays a starring role in this choreography. The warm hues of the sandstone respond to changing daylight, shifting from soft pinks at dawn to deeper mauves at dusk. This interaction with light animates the textures and forms, creating a living architecture that breathes with the day.
Even the most minor details are considered part of the language. Window trims crafted from Victorian kiln-dried white cypress complement the stone’s warmth. Steel-framed double glazing is embellished with fern motifs – local references that deepen the building’s connection to place.
The effect is a building that feels both timeless and contemporary, robust and refined. It is architecture as poetry, where colour, texture, and form coalesce into a singular, memorable expression.
Ultimately, Three Springs’s architectural language is a testament to the power of natural materials to tell stories and evoke emotion. As Kristin Green poignantly states, “This was not merely a home, but a love story rendered in stone.”
An aerial view of Clematis House reveals the organic geometry of its layout—curved sandstone walls, bold rooflines, and flowing landscape integration. (John Gollings: Photographer).
Collaborative Craftsmanship – The Role of Gosford Quarries and Skilled Masons
Behind Three Springs’ poetic beauty and enduring strength lies a story of collaboration, craftsmanship, and trust. From the earliest design stages to the final build, Gosford Quarries played an indispensable role, offering premium sandstone, partnership, and expertise that elevated the project beyond the ordinary.
Kristin Green highlights this rare collaboration: “Gosford Quarries offered more than material; they offered relationship. Their sandstone bore the specific variation we sought – subtle pinks, mauves, and clays. But it was their responsiveness that truly distinguished them.” This responsiveness was personified by Dustin Butcher, the Victorian manager, whose proactive support and technical expertise enabled the design to evolve fluidly.
Rather than a transactional supplier, Gosford Quarries became an extension of the design team. “From design through to final delivery, Dustin’s consistency and deep involvement meant potential challenges were pre-empted, questions answered swiftly, and custom requests met enthusiastically,” Kristin recalls. This level of engagement turned potential obstacles into opportunities for innovation and refinement.
The sandstone’s journey from quarry to structure was carefully managed with skilled stonemasons whose craftsmanship honoured the material’s natural qualities. “Their connection to experienced stonemasons ensured the stone was handled with the respect it deserved. Their involvement elevated the work from construction to craft,” Kristin says.
This collaboration extended deeply into the customisation of key architectural elements. Every detail – from fireplace surrounds to capping stones, back fences, and columns – was developed through ongoing dialogue. Samples flowed freely, ideas were massaged, and the hands of talented artisans shaped forms that were both bespoke and buildable.
Such careful craftsmanship allowed the building to breathe and adapt as it grew. “Working with skilled masons introduced through Dustin, we shaped and refined forms that were both bespoke and buildable. The collaboration allowed the building to breathe, adapting as it grew,” Kristin explains.
Gosford Quarries’ capacity to provide complex cuts quickly and accurately was essential to realising the project’s bold design gestures. Triangular window surrounds, continuous walling effects, and bespoke quoin blocks for archways were all delivered without hesitation. This capability made challenging architectural details appear effortless.
The project’s rigorous blending protocols ensured visual harmony across the natural variation of sandstone batches. “Natural stone varies. To achieve cohesion, we opened multiple pallets, selected across batches, and maintained visual harmony. It was a logistical challenge, but it paid off in material continuity and narrative coherence,” Kristin says.
This seamless integration of stone, craft, and design culminated in a building where every element, from the broad walls to the smallest detail, felt intentional and integrated. It was the result of a true partnership where expertise met vision.
For Gosford Quarries, this project is a shining example of how close collaboration with architects and masons can transform natural stone from a mere building material into a living, breathing canvas. Their role was to supply sandstone and nurture the project’s spirit.
Kristin Green says, “Gosford Quarries met every design challenge with a ‘yes.’ Their generosity of spirit transformed a transaction into collaboration, elevating stonework from craft to artistry.”
Through this partnership, Three Springs stands as a testament to natural Australian sandstone’s enduring beauty and versatility and the power of relationships in creating architecture that truly honours place and material.
Sweeping timber beams and profiled sandstone supports create a rhythmic colonnade, merging shelter, symmetry, and sculpture. (John Gollings: Photographer).
Overcoming Challenges – Blending Protocols and Material Continuity
With all its organic beauty and variation, natural stone can also present unique challenges, particularly when aiming for a seamless, cohesive architectural narrative. Managing this natural variability for the Three Springs project was a technical and artistic challenge that demanded meticulous attention.
Kristin Green acknowledges this delicate balance: “Natural stone varies. We implemented rigorous blending protocols to achieve cohesion – opening multiple pallets, selecting across batches, and maintaining visual harmony.” This meant the team didn’t rely on a single quarry batch but strategically mixed stones from various pallets to craft a balanced composition of colour, texture, and pattern.
This blending process was a logistical feat. It required close coordination between the design team, Gosford Quarries, and the skilled stonemasons. The goal was to avoid visual monotony while preventing jarring contrasts that could disrupt the building’s harmonious flow.
“The blending protocols were not just about aesthetics – they were fundamental to creating a material narrative that felt alive, breathing with subtle shifts in tone and light throughout the day,” Kristin explains. With its bold brown and pink banding, the gentle pinks and mauves of the Quarry Run sandstone could have appeared disjointed if not carefully orchestrated. Instead, they became a language of continuity and variation, echoing the rhythms of the natural landscape.
This commitment to blending also reflected the project’s larger architectural intent – to create a building that felt as though it had emerged organically from the hillside, rather than being imposed upon it. The subtle tonal shifts in the sandstone walls mimic the play of shadow and light across the site’s autumn leaves and clay soils, deepening the emotional resonance.
From a construction perspective, every pallet and stone had to be carefully catalogued and selected on site, requiring patience and precision from all involved. The result was a building where the material flow seemed effortless – each stone a deliberate choice contributing to the whole.
Beyond the technical, this process underscored a respect for the stone as a living material, capable of strength and subtlety. “It taught us restraint and richness at once,” Kristin reflects. “The practicality of sandstone was poetic. It absorbed flaws, softened transitions, and harmonised the palette.”
In this way, the blending protocols were not simply a solution to a challenge but a creative act reinforcing the project’s core philosophy – architecture as a dialogue between nature, material, and human craft.
With its towering arched windows and whimsical garden sculpture, the sandstone-clad residence fuses storybook charm with architectural mastery. (John Gollings: Photographer).
Sandstone’s Timelessness – Aging with Grace and Functional Longevity
One of the most compelling reasons sandstone was chosen for the Three Springs project is its remarkable ability to age with dignity and character. Unlike many contemporary materials that degrade or lose appeal over time, sandstone evolves – its surface softens, patinas deepen, and mosses and lichens occasionally take hold, enriching the stone’s presence in the landscape.
Kristin Green reflects on this quality: “Sandstone ages with dignity. The building will grow more beautiful with time. The stone will weather. It’s patina will deepen, moss will cling, and time will only enrich its presence.” This natural ageing process ensures that the architecture remains connected to place and season, responding subtly to climate, light, and environmental changes.
This expectation of longevity partly influenced the decision to use Gosford Quarries’ “Quarry Run” sandstone. Its bold brown and pink banding provides immediate visual richness and a timeless palette that harmonises with the natural clay soils and surrounding vegetation.
From a functional perspective, sandstone delivers quiet confidence. Its thermal mass helps moderate internal temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems. This contributes to the building’s sustainability and comfort, aligning with the project’s broader environmental stewardship goals.
Sandstone also boasts practical advantages: it requires minimal maintenance, is resistant to common issues such as salting or efflorescence, and its durability promises a lifespan measured in decades, if not centuries. This reliability was key for a home gallery designed to last and continue inspiring future generations.
Moreover, the material’s versatility allowed the design team to maintain visual and tactile continuity between interior and exterior spaces. “The building needed substance and softness, and sandstone gave us both,” Kristin notes. Its ability to move seamlessly from structural walls to detailed finishes made the material feel monumental and intimate.
The stone’s subtle shifts in colour and texture throughout the day create an ever-changing experience for occupants and visitors, deepening their connection with the architecture and its natural setting.
Ultimately, using sandstone is a testament to the value of materials that offer immediate beauty and lasting emotional resonance. It embodies a commitment to architecture that respects time, place, and the stories embedded within the land.
As Kristin Green eloquently states, “Sandstone has much left to give – but only if we treat it with the respect it deserves.”
The Future of Sandstone – Stewardship, Responsibility, and Legacy
Sandstone’s enduring appeal and performance make it a timeless choice, but as a finite natural resource, its future depends on responsible stewardship and thoughtful use. Architect Kristin Green emphasises that “Sandstone is not a trend or fashion; it is a legacy.” This legacy carries a profound responsibility for quarrying practices, supply chain transparency, and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship.
This sense of responsibility was clear in the context of the Three Springs project. Beyond providing premium material, Gosford Quarries demonstrated a commitment to ethical quarrying and sustainable supply. Their relationship with the design team was collaborative, not transactional, reflecting a shared respect for the land and the material’s heritage.
Kristin explains, “We must demand life cycle responsibility – ethical quarrying, post-use rehabilitation, and a transparent supply chain.” This approach ensures that sandstone’s beauty and utility are preserved for future generations without compromising the environment or local communities.
Equally important is preserving the artisanal skills that bring sandstone architecture to life. Skilled stonemasons, many introduced through Gosford Quarries’ network, shaped the stone with care and expertise, turning raw blocks into intricate architectural features. This craftsmanship imbues the building with soul, anchoring it in tradition while enabling innovation.
Sandstone’s future is also tied to its versatility. As the demand for sustainable, durable, and emotionally resonant materials grows, sandstone’s ability to adapt to various architectural styles and functions will keep it relevant. “Stone must not become mere cladding; it must teach, challenge, and reward,” Kristin asserts. This philosophy encourages architects and builders to engage deeply with the material, exploring its full potential rather than using it superficially.
Companies like Gosford Quarries set a powerful example by combining supply with stewardship. Their proactive engagement throughout the project – from initial design consultation to final delivery – highlights the evolving role of quarry suppliers as partners in sustainable building.
Integrating life cycle assessments and circular economy principles will shape sandstone’s place in architecture. Recycling, reuse, and careful end-of-life strategies will help maintain its legacy while reducing environmental impact.
In sum, the future of sandstone depends not only on its physical qualities but on the ethics and creativity of those who quarry, design, and build with it. Kristin Green eloquently states, “Sandstone has much left to give – but only if we treat it with the respect it deserves.” The Three Springs project is a beacon of this philosophy, marrying material, craft, and conscience in a harmonious whole.
A striking roofscape of copper and angles rises from the Clematis House residence, with profiled sandstone walling echoing the contours of the natural bushland. (John Gollings: Photographer).
“Every hue came from the material itself,” Kristin recalls. This singular language makes the building feel unified and grounded, seamlessly weaving interior and exterior spaces together.
The KGA Architectural Philosophy – Meaning, Context, and Colour
At the heart of KGA Architecture lies a deep commitment to creating buildings that speak to the land, to history, and to the senses. Architect Kristin Green explains, “We believe buildings should speak. We don’t fear complexity, colour, or emotion. We strive to create architecture with density of meaning, of feeling.”
This philosophy shines through in the Three Springs project, where every design decision was rooted in context and narrative. Far from reducing the design to a minimalist form, KGA embraces complexity and texture as essential elements. The architecture celebrates the hand of the maker, the soul of the site, and the layered stories embedded in place.
Colour plays a critical role in this approach. The bold hues of Gosford Quarries’ “Quarry Run” sandstone – with its striking browns, soft pinks, and mauve banding – are not merely surface aesthetics but integral to the building’s identity. Kristin shares, “While others reduce, we explore. We do not fear colour or shadow; we welcome them.” This willingness to embrace a rich palette gives the project vibrancy and emotional depth.
The palette was drawn entirely from the stone, creating a cohesive language of form, light, and touch. Initially, the team considered a broader interior colour scheme, but the stone’s arrival on site shifted their vision. “Every hue came from the material itself,” Kristin recalls. This singular language makes the building feel unified and grounded, seamlessly weaving interior and exterior spaces together.
KGA’s design also challenges conventional architectural forms, favouring geometry inspired by natural and cultural motifs. The use of triangles and circles throughout the building reflects a broader worldview that acknowledges the multiplicity within unity. “Within the ‘one’ there are multitudes,” Kristin notes, referring to the project’s layered spatial qualities and its embrace of complexity without clutter.
Beyond aesthetics, KGA prioritises generosity in architecture. This means considering how spaces foster connection, evoke emotion, and engage all senses. The result is architecture that feels alive and evolving, responding to light, season, and human interaction changes.
KGA’s approach powerfully reminds us that architecture is more than shelter – it is storytelling in stone, colour, and form. The firm advocates for a future where buildings resonate deeply with place and people through projects like Three Springs, offering richness and meaning that endure beyond trends or fashions.
“Sandstone is not a trend or fashion; it is a legacy.”
Organic design meets engineered craft—timber, copper and sandstone converge. (John Gollings: Photographer).
The Enduring Legacy of Three Springs and Gosford Quarries Sandstone
The Three Springs project is a testament to the enduring power of natural materials and thoughtful design. Through its bold use of Gosford Quarries’ “Quarry Run” sandstone, this architectural masterpiece honours the land, respects history, and embraces the future with confidence and grace.
As Kristin Green reflects, “Sandstone is not a trend or fashion; it is a legacy.” This sentiment encapsulates the heart of the project – one where material choice is deeply intertwined with cultural stewardship, environmental responsibility, and aesthetic ambition.
The collaboration between KGA Architecture and Gosford Quarries exemplifies how a shared vision and mutual respect can elevate a building from construction to art. The sandstone’s story is about resilience, beauty, and craft, from the quarry to the final carved detail.
Three Springs demonstrates how architecture can be monumental and intimate, robust yet delicate, and timeless while firmly rooted in its context. Its carefully choreographed forms, rich play of colours, and nuanced stone textures create a narrative that unfolds with every step and glance.
Looking forward, this project serves as a quiet manifesto for sustainable design that embraces natural materials with reverence and ingenuity. It challenges architects, builders, and suppliers to prioritise quality, collaboration, and long-term thinking.
Gosford Quarries continues to lead in supplying the sandstone that inspires such visionary work. With projects like Three Springs, the future of Australian architecture shines bright, grounded in heritage, enriched by nature, and built to last generations.
As the sandstone ages and the seasons pass, this home gallery will only deepen its connection to place and time, proving that true architectural legacy is written in stone.