The Oaks Luxury Farmstay Project

Client Needs

Designed by Philippines-based architects Mañosa & Co. for international owners, the goal was to create a tranquil yet luxurious residence that integrated seamlessly with the landscape. The residence comprises large living and entertaining pavilions as well as three circular bedroom pods recessed into the gentle sloping hillside below.

Acacia was commissioned to craft custom timber windows and doors that would meet the architect’s high aesthetic standards, provide practical functionality, and integrate seamlessly into both the rectilinear and curved building forms. Queensland Spotted Gum was selected for its strength, natural warmth and durability in the Australian climate.

Challenges

The Oaks Luxury Farmstay posed a series of complex challenges that pushed the boundaries of conventional window and door manufacturing. One of the most ambitious aspects was the requirement for curved sliding doors and windows in each of the circular guest pods. These units involved intricate curved glazing and sliding tracks – elements Acacia had not previously produced.

Custom bronze-anodised tracks had to be specially made and curved to suit the openings, which introduced technical challenges – particularly in achieving uniform finishes and precise shaping.

The architectural design featured deep window reveals, especially where the timber frames had to integrate with the thick sandstone walls. Each pavilion, effectively a full house on its own, demanded a high level of attention to detail in joinery design and construction coordination. Every opening had to align perfectly with surrounding elements, both structurally and aesthetically. This level of intricacy meant that standard solutions would not suffice.

Solutions

To deliver on the ambitious brief, Acacia deployed the full breadth of its design and manufacturing expertise. The project began with a rigorous design development phase, during which Acacia produced highly detailed shop drawings for each window and door. These drawings helped clarify the construction methodology for the builder and architects, ensuring alignment before production began.

Prototypes of the curved systems were built and tested to refine the mechanics of sliding doors and flyscreens. CNC precision technology was combined with skilled craftsmanship to ensure the final products met exacting standards. For the curved flyscreens, Acacia introduced carefully engineered bars to maintain curvature and function. The curved glass was sourced from New Zealand, with Acacia coordinating logistics to align with the project’s timeline.

Close collaboration with Horizon, including a visit to our factory during production, allowed the team to pre-empt installation issues and maintain confidence in the final delivery. To assist the builder’s installation process and timeline, some curved panels were glazed on-site rather than in the factory.

Outcome

The final result is a showcase of precision joinery and collaborative problem-solving. Acacia’s Queensland Spotted Gum timber windows and doors now form a striking and functional element of the retreat, framing views and enhancing the connection between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape.

“The team at Acacia delivered the windows and doors to our recent Farmstay project to an impeccably high standard. Shop drawings were clear and showed all of the details, as well highlighting and coordinating all components of the assemblies. The team were collaborative in planning and resolving construction details and accommodating the difficult coordination issues that were identified prior to production.”

Tony Lisicic, Horizon Built, Builder

The Oaks Luxury Farmstay

Project Details

Project Overview